Phosphonic acid compounds as inhibitors of serine proteases

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to phosphonic acid compounds useful as serine protease inhibitors, compositions thereof and methods for treating inflammatory and serine protease mediated disorders.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 12/290,027, filed on Oct. 24, 2008 now abandoned, which is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 10/414,782, filed on Apr. 16, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,459,461, issued on Dec. 2, 2008, which is a continuation in part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/273,208 filed Oct. 17, 2002, now abandoned, which claims benefit to the provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/330,343, filed Oct. 19, 2001, which are all hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to certain novel compounds, methods for preparing the compounds, compositions, intermediates and derivatives thereof and for treating inflammatory and serine protease mediated disorders. More particularly, the phosphonic acid compounds of the present invention are serine protease inhibitors useful for treating inflammatory and serine protease mediated disorders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Serine proteases represent a broad class of endopeptidases that are involved in physiological processes such as blood coagulation, complement activation, phagocytosis and turnover of damaged cell tissue. For example, cathepsin G (cat G) is a chymotrypsin-like serine protease found in the azurophilic granules of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Along with other serine proteases such as human neutrophil elastase and protease 3, cat G functions to degrade proteins during inflammatory responses. Cat G is thought to degrade human elastin during chronic lung inflammation, a process which may in part be responsible for asthma, pulmonary emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) as well as other pulmonary inflammatory conditions. Similarly, human chymase (HC) is a chymotrypsin-like serine protease synthesized in mast cells. HC has a variety of functions, including degradation of extracellular matrix proteins, cleavage of angiotensin I to angiotensin II and activation of matrix proteases and cytokines. Inadequate control by their natural inhibitors can cause these enzymes to degrade healthy constituents of the extracellular matrix, and thereby contribute to inflammatory disorders such as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, psoriasis, allergic rhinitis, viral rhinitis, ischemia, arthritis and reperfusion injury. Thus, small molecule inhibitors of cat G and HC are likely to represent useful therapeutic agents.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,508,273 to Beers, et al. and Bioorganic & Med. Chem. Lett., 1995, 5, (16), 1801-1806 describe phosphonic acid compounds useful in treating bone wasting diseases. In particular, 1-napthylmethylphosphonic acid derivatives have been described as osteoclastic acid phosphatase inhibitors of the formula:

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide phosphonic acid compounds that are serine protease inhibitors (in particular, inhibitors of cathepsin G and chymase) useful for treating inflammatory and serine protease mediated disorders. It is another object of the invention to provide a process for preparing phosphonic or phosphinic acid compounds, compositions, intermediates and derivatives thereof. It is a further object of the invention to provide methods for treating inflammatory and serine protease mediated disorders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to compounds of Formula (I):

wherein

-   R₁ is selected from the group consisting of a heterocyclyl ring     (wherein the point of attachment for the heterocyclyl ring at R₁ is     a nitrogen ring atom) and —N(R₇R₈); wherein the heterocyclyl ring is     optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently     selected from the group consisting of: -   a). C₁₋₈ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom with     a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryl,     heteroaryl, (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   b). C₁₋₈ alkoxy optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of carboxyl,     (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   c). aryl; -   d). heteroaryl; -   e). cyano; -   f). halogen; -   g). hydroxy; -   h). nitro; and, -   i). heterocyclyl optionally substituted with one to two substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of oxo and aryl;     and, optionally fused with the carbon of attachment to form a spiro     heterocyclyl moiety; -   and, wherein the aryl portion of the a). and i). substituent, the     heteroaryl portion of the a). substituent and the c). aryl and d).     heteroaryl substituents are optionally substituted with one to four     substituents independently selected from the group consisting of     C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl,     aryl, aryl(C₁₋₄)alkyl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁₋₄)alkyl,     halogen, hydroxy, nitro, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₄)alkyl and     (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₄)alkoxy; -   R₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl and     C₂₋₈ alkenyl; -   R₈ is selected from the group consisting of: -   aa). C₁₋₈ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl,     heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino (with two substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and     C₁₋₈ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   ab). cycloalkyl; -   ac). cycloalkenyl; and, -   ad). heterocyclyl (wherein the point of attachment at R₈ is a carbon     ring atom); -   wherein the ab). cycloalkyl, ac). cycloalkenyl and ad). heterocyclyl     (wherein the ad). heterocyclyl contains at least one nitrogen ring     atom) substituents and the cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and     heteroaryl portions of the aa). substituent are optionally     substituted with one to four substituents independently selected     from the group consisting of: -   ba). C₁₋₈ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino (with     two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of     hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   bb). C₁₋₈ alkoxy optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of carboxyl,     (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   bc). carbonyl substituted with a substituent selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl, aryl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl,     heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl and heteroaryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl; -   bd). aryl; -   be). heteroaryl; -   bf). amino substituted with two substituents independently selected     from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl; -   bg). cyano; -   bh). halogen; -   bi). hydroxy; -   bj). nitro; -   bk). heterocyclyl optionally substituted with one to two oxo     substituents; and, -   bl). sulfonyl substituted with a substituent selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl, aryl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl,     heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl and heteroaryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl; -   wherein the bd). aryl, be). heteroaryl and bk). heterocyclyl     substituents and the aryl and heteroaryl portions of the bc).     substituent are optionally substituted with one to four substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl     (optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom with a substituent     selected from the group consisting of amino (substituted with two     substituents independently selected from the group consisting of     hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy), C₁₋₄ alkoxy     (optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom with a substituent     selected from the group consisting of (halo)₁₋₃), amino (substituted     with two substituents independently selected from the group     consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), halogen, hydroxy and nitro; -   and, provided that the optional substituent attached to the ad).     heterocyclyl nitrogen ring atom is not selected from the group     consisting of bf). amino (substituted with two substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and     C₁₋₈ alkyl), bh). halogen, bi). hydroxy and bj). nitro; -   R₄ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl (optionally     substituted on a terminal carbon atom with a substituent selected     from the group consisting of aryl and heteroaryl), aryl and     heteroaryl; wherein aryl and heteroaryl and the aryl and heteroaryl     portions of the substituted alkyl are optionally substituted with     one to four substituents independently selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, amino (substituted with two substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and     C₁₋₄ alkyl), cyano, halogen, hydroxy and (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkyl; -   R₂ and R₃ are attached to a benzene ring and independently selected     from the group consisting of -   ca). hydrogen; -   cb). C₁₋₄ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino     (substituted with two substituents independently selected from the     group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   cc). C₁₋₄ alkoxy optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of (halo)₁₋₃     and hydroxy; -   cd). C₂₋₄ alkenyl; -   ce). amino substituted with two substituents independently selected     from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl; -   cf). halogen; and, -   cg). hydroxy; -   optionally, R₂ and R₃ together form at least one ring fused to the     benzene ring; thereby providing a multiple ring system; wherein the     multiple ring system is selected from the group consisting of C₉-C₁₄     benzo fused cycloalkyl, C₉-C₁₄ benzo fused cycloalkenyl, C₉-C₁₄     benzo fused aryl, benzo fused heterocyclyl and benzo fused     heteroaryl; and, wherein the multiple ring system can optionally be     substituted with one to four substituents independently selected     from the group consisting of -   da). C₁₋₄ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino     (substituted with two substituents independently selected from the     group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   db). C₁₋₄ alkoxy optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of (halo)₁₋₃     and hydroxy; -   dc). amino substituted with two substituents independently selected     from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl; -   dd). halogen; -   de). hydroxy; and, -   df). nitro; -   R₅ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl     (optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom with a substituent     selected from the group consisting of amino (substituted with two     substituents independently selected from the group consisting of     hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy) and aryl     (optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently     selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl and halogen); -   R₆ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl,     aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, C₁₋₈ alkoxy, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkoxy, C₂₋₈ alkenyl, C₂₋₈     alkenyloxy, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyloxy, aryl, aryloxy     and hydroxy; -   X and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of     hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl (optionally substituted on a terminal carbon     atom with a substituent selected from the group consisting of     cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino (substituted with     two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of     hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy), C₁₋₈ alkoxy     (optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom with a substituent     selected from the group consisting of aryl, (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy),     C₂₋₈ alkenyloxy, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl     and hydroxy; optionally, X and Y are fused together with the carbon     of attachment to form a spiro cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl moiety;     and, optionally, Y is not present; wherein X is one substituent     attached by a double-bond selected from the group consisting of O,     S, imino, (C₁₋₄)alkylimino and hydroxyimino; and, -   Z is selected from the group consisting of a bond, hydrogen and C₁₋₈     alkyl; if Z is a bond (wherein Z forms a double bond with the carbon     of attachment for X), then Y is not present and X is one substituent     attached by a single-bond selected from the group consisting of     hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkoxy, C₂₋₈ alkenyloxy, aryloxy, aryl(C₁₋₄)alkoxy     and hydroxy, -   and isomers, racemates, enantiomers, diastereomers and salts     thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention include a process for preparing a compound of Formula (I) comprising coupling under suitable conditions a first compound of Formula (A):

-   with a second compound selected from the group consisting of     Formula (B) and Formula (C):

-   to produce a third compound selected from the group consisting of     Formula (D) and Formula (E):

wherein

-   R₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl and     C₂₋₈ alkenyl; -   R₈ is selected from the group consisting of: -   aa). C₁₋₈ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl,     heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino (substituted with two     substituents independently selected from the group consisting of     hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   ab). cycloalkyl; -   ac). cycloalkenyl; and, -   ad). heterocyclyl (wherein the point of attachment at R₈ is a carbon     ring atom); -   wherein the ab). cycloalkyl, ac). cycloalkenyl and ad). heterocyclyl     (wherein the ad). heterocyclyl contains at least one nitrogen ring     atom) substituents and the cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and     heteroaryl portions of the aa). substituent are optionally     substituted with one to four substituents independently selected     from the group consisting of: -   ba). C₁₋₈ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino (with     two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of     hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   bb). C₁₋₈ alkoxy optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of carboxyl,     (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   bc). carbonyl substituted with a substituent selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl, aryl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl,     heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl and heteroaryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl; -   bd). aryl; -   be). heteroaryl; -   bf). amino substituted with two substituents independently selected     from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl; -   bg). cyano; -   bh). halogen; -   bi). hydroxy; -   bj). nitro; -   bk). heterocyclyl optionally substituted with one to two oxo     substituents; and, -   bl). sulfonyl substituted with a substituent selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl, aryl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl,     heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl and heteroaryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl; -   wherein the bd). aryl, be). heteroaryl and bk). heterocyclyl     substituents and the aryl and heteroaryl portions of the bc).     substituent are optionally substituted with one to four substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl     (optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom with a substituent     selected from the group consisting of amino (substituted with two     substituents independently selected from the group consisting of     hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy), C₁₋₄ alkoxy     (optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom with a substituent     selected from the group consisting of (halo)₁₋₃), amino (substituted     with two substituents independently selected from the group     consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), halogen, hydroxy and nitro; -   and, provided that the optional substituent attached to the ad).     heterocyclyl nitrogen ring atom is not selected from the group     consisting of bf). amino (substituted with two substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and     C₁₋₈ alkyl), bh). halogen, bi). hydroxy and bj). nitro; -   R₄ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl (optionally     substituted on a terminal carbon atom with a substituent selected     from the group consisting of aryl and heteroaryl), aryl and     heteroaryl; wherein aryl and heteroaryl and the aryl and heteroaryl     portions of the substituted alkyl are optionally substituted with     one to four substituents independently selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, amino (substituted with two substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and     C₁₋₄ alkyl), cyano, halogen, hydroxy and (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkyl; -   R₂ and R₃ are attached to a benzene ring and independently selected     from the group consisting of -   ca). hydrogen; -   cb). C₁₋₄ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino     (substituted with two substituents independently selected from the     group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   cc). C₁₋₄ alkoxy optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of (halo)₁₋₃     and hydroxy; -   cd). C₂₋₄ alkenyl; -   ce). amino substituted with two substituents independently selected     from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl; -   cf). halogen; and, -   cg). hydroxy; -   optionally, R₂ and R₃ together form at least one ring fused to the     benzene ring; thereby providing a multiple ring system; wherein the     multiple ring system is selected from the group consisting of C₉-C₁₄     benzo fused cycloalkyl, C₉-C₁₄ benzo fused cycloalkenyl, C₉-C₁₄     benzo fused aryl, benzo fused heterocyclyl and benzo fused     heteroaryl; and, wherein the multiple ring system can optionally be     substituted with one to four substituents independently selected     from the group consisting of: -   da). C₁₋₄ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino     (substituted with two substituents independently selected from the     group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   db). C₁₋₄ alkoxy optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of (halo)₁₋₃     and hydroxy; -   dc). amino substituted with two substituents independently selected     from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl; -   dd). halogen; -   de). hydroxy; and, -   df). nitro; -   R₅ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl     (optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom with a substituent     selected from the group consisting of amino (substituted with two     substituents independently selected from the group consisting of     hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy) and aryl     (optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently     selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl and halogen); -   R₆ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl,     aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, C₁₋₈ alkoxy, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkoxy, C₂₋₈ alkenyl, C₂₋₈     alkenyloxy, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyloxy, aryl, aryloxy     and hydroxy; -   X is selected from the group consisting of O, S, imino,     (C₁₋₄)alkylimino and hydroxyimino; and, -   Z is selected from the group consisting of a bond, hydrogen and C₁₋₈     alkyl; if Z is a bond (wherein Z forms a double bond with the carbon     of attachment for X), then X is selected from the group consisting     of hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkoxy, C₂₋₈ alkenyloxy, aryloxy, aryl(C₁₋₄)alkoxy     and hydroxy, -   and isomers, racemates, enantiomers, diastereomers and salts     thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention include a compound of Formula (C):

wherein

-   R₂ and R₃ are attached to a benzene ring and independently selected     from the group consisting of -   ca). hydrogen; -   cb). C₁₋₄ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino     (substituted with two substituents independently selected from the     group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   cc). C₁₋₄ alkoxy optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of (halo)₁₋₃     and hydroxy; -   cd). C₂₋₄ alkenyl; -   ce). amino substituted with two substituents independently selected     from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl; -   cf). halogen; and, -   cg). hydroxy; -   optionally, R₂ and R₃ together form at least one ring fused to the     benzene ring; thereby providing a multiple ring system; wherein the     multiple ring system is selected from the group consisting of C₉-C₁₄     benzo fused cycloalkyl, C₉-C₁₄ benzo fused cycloalkenyl, C₉-C₁₄     benzo fused aryl, benzo fused heterocyclyl and benzo fused     heteroaryl; and, wherein the multiple ring system can optionally be     substituted with one to four substituents independently selected     from the group consisting of -   da). C₁₋₄ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino     (substituted with two substituents independently selected from the     group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   db). C₁₋₄ alkoxy optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of (halo)₁₋₃     and hydroxy; -   dc). amino substituted with two substituents independently selected     from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl; -   dd). halogen; -   de). hydroxy; and, -   df). nitro; -   R₄ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl (optionally     substituted on a terminal carbon atom with a substituent selected     from the group consisting of aryl and heteroaryl), aryl and     heteroaryl; wherein aryl and heteroaryl and the aryl and heteroaryl     portions of the substituted alkyl are optionally substituted with     one to four substituents independently selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, amino (substituted with two substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and     C₁₋₄ alkyl), cyano, halogen, hydroxy and (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkyl; -   R₅ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl     (optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom with a substituent     selected from the group consisting of amino (substituted with two     substituents independently selected from the group consisting of     hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy) and aryl     (optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently     selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl and halogen); and, -   R₆ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl,     aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, C₁₋₈ alkoxy, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkoxy, C₂₋₈ alkenyl, C₂₋₈     alkenyloxy, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyloxy, aryl, aryloxy     and hydroxy.

Embodiments of the present invention include a process for making a benzolactone of Formula (C) comprising

-   a) reacting an anhydride of Formula (F):

with a compound of Formula (G):

under suitable conditions in the presence of an alkali metal (M) to provide a compound of Formula (H):

-   b) and, reacting the compound of Formula (H) under conditions     suitable to form the benzolactone of Formula (C):

wherein

-   R₂ and R₃ are attached to a benzene ring and independently selected     from the group consisting of -   ca). hydrogen; -   cb). C₁₋₄ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino     (substituted with two substituents independently selected from the     group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   cc). C₁₋₄ alkoxy optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of (halo)₁₋₃     and hydroxy; -   cd). C₂₋₄ alkenyl; -   ce). amino substituted with two substituents independently selected     from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl; -   cf). halogen; and, -   cg). hydroxy; -   optionally, R₂ and R₃ together form at least one ring fused to the     benzene ring; thereby providing a multiple ring system; wherein the     multiple ring system is selected from the group consisting of C₉-C₁₄     benzo fused cycloalkyl, C₉-C₁₄ benzo fused cycloalkenyl, C₉-C₁₄     benzo fused aryl, benzo fused heterocyclyl and benzo fused     heteroaryl; and, wherein the multiple ring system can optionally be     substituted with one to four substituents independently selected     from the group consisting of -   da). C₁₋₄ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino     (substituted with two substituents independently selected from the     group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   db). C₁₋₄ alkoxy optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of (halo)₁₋₃     and hydroxy; -   dc). amino substituted with two substituents independently selected     from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl; -   dd). halogen; -   de). hydroxy; and, -   df). nitro; -   R₄ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl (optionally     substituted on a terminal carbon atom with a substituent selected     from the group consisting of aryl and heteroaryl), aryl and     heteroaryl; wherein aryl and heteroaryl and the aryl and heteroaryl     portions of the substituted alkyl are optionally substituted with     one to four substituents independently selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, amino (substituted with two substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and     C₁₋₄ alkyl), cyano, halogen, hydroxy and (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkyl; -   R₅ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl     (optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom with a substituent     selected from the group consisting of amino (substituted with two     substituents independently selected from the group consisting of     hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy) and aryl     (optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently     selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl and halogen); and -   R₆ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl,     aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, C₁₋₈ alkoxy, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkoxy, C₂₋₈ alkenyl, C₂₋₈     alkenyloxy, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyloxy, aryl, aryloxy     and hydroxy.

Embodiments of the present invention include compounds of Formula (II):

wherein

-   R₁₀ is selected from the group consisting of: -   a). sulfonyl substituted with a substituent selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl, aryl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycl, heteroaryl,     heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl and heteroaryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl; -   b). carbonyl substituted with a substituent selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl, aryl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycl heteroaryl,     heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl, —OR₁₁ and amino     (with two substituents independently selected from the group     consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₈ alkyl,     arylcarbonyl, arylC₁₋₈ alkyl carbonyl and heteroaryl C₁₋₈ alkyl); -   c). C₁₋₈ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom with     a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycl, heteroaryl, (halo)₁₋₃,     hydroxy, —C(O)R₁₂ and amino (with two substituents independently     selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl, arylC₁₋₈     alkyl, arylcarbonyl, arylC₁₋₈ alkyl carbonyl and heteroaryl C₁₋₈     alkyl); -   d). aryl; -   e). heteroaryl; -   f). cycloalkyl -   g). cycloalkenyl; and, -   h). heterocyclyl -   wherein the heterocycl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl portion of a).,     b)., and c)., the cylcoalkyl f)., cylcoalkenyl g)., and heterocyclyl     h). are optionally substituted with one to two substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of:     -   ea). oxo     -   eb). carbonyl substituted with a substituent selected from the         group consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl, aryl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl,         aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycl         heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl and         amino (with two substituents independently selected from the         group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl, arylC₁₋₈ alkyl,         arylcarbonyl, arylC₁₋₈ alkyl carbonyl and heteroaryl C₁₋₈         alkyl);     -   ec). C₁₋₈ alkyl optionally substituted with a substituent         selected from the group consisting of amino (with two         substituents independently selected from the group consisting of         hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl, arylC₁₋₈ alkyl, arylcarbonyl, arylC₁₋₈         alkyl carbonyl and heteroaryl C₁₋₈ alkyl), aryl, cycloalkyl,         cycloalkenyl, heterocycl, heteroaryl, (halo)₁₋₃, and hydroxy;     -   ed). aryl; and     -   ef). (halo)₁₋₃ -   wherein the aryl portion of the a)., b)., c)., ec). and ed).     substituents, the heteroaryl portion of the a)., b)., c). and ec).     substituents and the d). aryl and e). heteroaryl substituents are     optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently     selected from the group consisting of -   fa). C₁₋₄ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycl, heteroaryl, (halo)₁₋₃,     hydroxy, —C(O)R₁₂ and amino (with two substituents independently     selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl, arylC₁₋₈     alkyl, arylcarbonyl, arylC₁₋₈ alkyl carbonyl and heteroaryl C₁₋₈     alkyl); -   fb). C₂₋₄ alkenyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino (with     two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of     hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   fc). C₁₋₄ alkoxy optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of (halo)₁₋₃     and hydroxy; -   fd). cycloalkyl, -   fe). heterocyclyl, -   ff). aryl optionally substituted with one to four substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl and     halogen; -   fg). heteroaryl, -   fh). hydroxy; -   fi). hydroxy; -   fj). nitro; and -   fk). (halo)₁₋₃; -   wherein the aryl portion of the arylC₁₋₈ alkyl, arylcarbonyl,     arylC₁₋₈ alkyl carbonyl of fa). are optionally substituted with one     to four substituents independently selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl (optionally substituted on a terminal     carbon atom with a substituent selected from the group consisting of     amino (substituted with two substituents independently selected from     the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and     hydroxy), C₁₋₄ alkoxy (optionally substituted on a terminal carbon     atom with a substituent selected from the group consisting of     (halo)₁₋₃), amino (substituted with two substituents independently     selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl),     halogen, hydroxy and nitro.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the percent change in specific lung resistance (SR_(L)) from baseline for Compound 2 compared to control in a spontaneous ascaris suum antigen-induced model of asthma in sheep over an 8 hour period.

FIG. 2 shows the change in the cumulative carbachol dose required to increase SR_(L) 400% (PC 400) from a baseline value (BSL) measured at 24 hours post-dosing of Compound 2 in the spontaneous ascaris suum antigen-induced model of asthma in sheep compared to a 24 hour post-dosing challenge with carbachol (Post Antigen).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention include those compounds wherein R₁ is selected from the group consisting of a heterocyclyl ring (wherein the point of attachment for the heterocyclyl ring at R₁ is a nitrogen ring atom) and —N(R₇R₈); wherein the heterocyclyl ring is optionally substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of a). aryl(C₁₋₄)alkyl, c). aryl, d). heteroaryl and i). heterocyclyl (optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of oxo and aryl; and, optionally fused with the carbon of attachment to form a spiro heterocyclyl moiety); and, wherein the aryl portion of the a). and i). substituent and the c). aryl substituent are optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, halogen, hydroxy, (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₄)alkyl and (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₄)alkoxy; and, all other variables are as previously defined.

Preferably, R₁ is selected from the group consisting of a heterocyclyl ring (wherein the point of attachment for the heterocyclyl ring at R₁ is a nitrogen ring atom) and —N(R₇R₈); wherein the heterocyclyl ring is optionally substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of a). aryl(C₁₋₄)alkyl, c). aryl, d). heteroaryl and i). heterocyclyl (optionally substituted with two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of oxo and aryl; and, optionally fused with the carbon of attachment to form a spiro heterocyclyl moiety); and, wherein the aryl portion of the a). and i). substituent and the c). aryl substituent are optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkoxy and aryl; and, all other variables are as previously defined.

More preferably, R₁ is selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl and —N(R₇R₈); wherein the point of attachment for pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl is a nitrogen ring atom; and, wherein pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of a). phenylethyl, c). phenyl (optionally substituted with methoxy), d). benzothiazolyl and i). imidazolidinyl (optionally substituted with two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of oxo and phenyl; and, optionally fused with the carbon of attachment to form a spiro moiety); and, all other variables are as previously defined.

Most preferably, R₁ is selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl and —N(R₇R₈); wherein the point of attachment for pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl is a nitrogen ring atom in the one position; and, wherein pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl are optionally substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of a). phenylethyl, c). phenyl (optionally substituted with methoxy), d). benzothiazolyl and i). imidazolidinyl (optionally substituted with two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of oxo and phenyl; and, optionally fused with the carbon of attachment to form a spiro moiety); and, all other variables are as previously defined.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention include those compounds wherein R₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl and C₂₋₄ alkenyl.

More preferably, R₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl.

Most preferably, R₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl.

Embodiments of the present invention include those compounds wherein R₈ is selected from the group consisting of:

-   aa). C₁₋₈ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl,     heterocyclyl, (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   ab). cycloalkyl; -   ac). cycloalkenyl; and, -   ad). heterocyclyl (wherein the point of attachment at R₈ is a carbon     ring atom); -   wherein the ab). cycloalkyl, ac). cycloalkenyl and ad). heterocyclyl     substituents (wherein the ad). heterocyclyl contains at least one     nitrogen ring atom) and the cycloalkyl portion of the aa).     substituent are optionally substituted with one to four substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of: -   ba). C₁₋₈ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino (with     two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of     hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   bb). C₁₋₈ alkoxy; -   bc). carbonyl substituted with a substituent selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl, aryl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl,     heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl and heteroaryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl; -   bd). aryl; -   be). heteroaryl; -   bf). amino substituted with two substituents independently selected     from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl; -   bh). halogen; -   bi). hydroxy; -   bk). heterocyclyl; and, -   bl). sulfonyl substituted with a substituent selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl, aryl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl,     heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl and heteroaryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl; -   wherein the bd). aryl, be). heteroaryl and bk). heterocyclyl     substituents and the aryl and heteroaryl portions of the bc).     substituent are optionally substituted with one to four substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl     (optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom with a substituent     selected from the group consisting of (halo)₁₋₃), C₁₋₄ alkoxy, amino     (substituted with two substituents independently selected from the     group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), halogen and hydroxy; -   and, provided that the optional substituent attached to the ad).     heterocyclyl nitrogen ring atom is not selected from the group     consisting of bf). amino (substituted with two substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and     C₁₋₈ alkyl), bh). halogen, bi). hydroxy and bj). nitro.

Preferably, R₈ is selected from the group consisting of aa). cycloalkyl(C₁₋₄)alkyl, ab). cycloalkyl, ac). cycloalkenyl and ad). heterocyclyl (wherein the point of attachment for the ad). heterocyclyl at R₈ is a carbon ring atom; and, the ad). heterocyclyl contains a single nitrogen ring atom); wherein the ab). cycloalkyl, ac). cycloalkenyl and ad). heterocyclyl substituents and the cycloalkyl portion of the aa). substituent are optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of ba). C₁₋₄ alkyl, bc). carbonyl (substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, aryl, aryl(C₁₋₄)alkyl and aryl(C₂₋₄)alkenyl) and bd). aryl; wherein the bd). aryl substituent and the aryl portions of the bc). substituent are optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, di(C₁₋₄ alkyl)amino, halogen, hydroxy and (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₄)alkyl.

More preferably, R₈ is selected from the group consisting of aa). adamant-1-ylmethyl, ab). cyclopentyl, ab). cyclohexyl, ac). cyclohexenyl, ad). pyrrolidinyl and ad). piperidinyl (wherein the point of attachment for pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl at R₈ is a carbon ring atom); wherein ab). cyclohexyl, ac). cyclohexenyl, ad). pyrrolidinyl and ad). piperidinyl are optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of ba). C₁₋₄ alkyl, bc). carbonyl (substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, aryl, aryl(C₁₋₄)alkyl and aryl(C₂₋₄)alkenyl) and bd). aryl; wherein the bd). aryl substituent and the aryl portions of the bc). substituent are optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, di(C₁₋₄ alkyl)amino, halogen, hydroxy and (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₄)alkyl.

Most preferably, R₈ is selected from the group consisting of aa). adamant-1-ylmethyl, ab). cyclopentyl, ab). cyclohexyl, ac). cyclohexenyl, ad). pyrrolidinyl and ad). piperidinyl (wherein the point of attachment for pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl at R₈ is a carbon ring atom); wherein ab). cyclohexyl, ac). cyclohexenyl, ad). pyrrolidinyl and ad). piperidinyl are optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of ba). methyl, ba). t-butyl, bc). methylcarbonyl, bc). i-propylcarbonyl, bc). phenylcarbonyl, bc). naphthalenylcarbonyl, bc). phenethylcarbonyl, bc). phenethenylcarbonyl and bd). phenyl; and, wherein the bd). phenyl substituent and the phenyl and naphthalenyl portions of the bc). substituent are optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of methyl, methoxy, N,N-dimethylamino, fluorine, bromine, hydroxy and trifluoromethyl.

Embodiments of the present invention include those compounds wherein R₂ and R₃ are attached to the benzene ring (shown in Formula I) on adjacent carbon atoms. Preferred embodiments of the present invention include those compounds wherein R₂ and R₃ are independently selected from the group consisting of ca). hydrogen, cb). C₁₋₄ alkyl, cc). C₁₋₄ alkoxy, cd). C₂₋₄ alkenyl, ce). amino (substituted with two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), cf). halogen and cg). hydroxy; optionally R₂ and R₃ together form at least one ring fused to the benzene ring; thereby providing a multiple ring system; wherein the multiple ring system is selected from the group consisting of naphthalene and anthracene; and, wherein the multiple ring system can optionally be substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from the group consisting of da). C₁₋₄ alkyl, db). C₁₋₄ alkoxy, dc). amino (substituted with two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), dd). halogen and de). hydroxy.

More preferably, R₂ and R₃ are attached to the benzene ring on adjacent carbon atoms and independently selected from the group consisting of ca). hydrogen, cb). C₁₋₄ alkyl, cd). C₂₋₄ alkenyl, cf). halogen and cg). hydroxy; optionally, R₂ and R₃ together form at least one ring fused to the benzene ring; thereby providing a multiple ring system; wherein the multiple ring system is naphthalene; and, wherein the multiple ring system can optionally be substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from the group consisting of da). C₁₋₄ alkyl, db). C₁₋₄ alkoxy, dc). amino (substituted with two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), dd). halogen and de). hydroxy.

Most preferably, the multiple ring system is a non-substituted naphthalene.

Embodiments of the present invention include those compounds wherein R₄ is selected from the group consisting of aryl and heteroaryl optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, amino (substituted with two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), cyano, halogen, hydroxy and (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkyl.

Preferably, R₄ is selected from the group consisting of aryl and heteroaryl (wherein heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, amino (substituted with two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), cyano, halogen, hydroxy and (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₈)alkyl).

More preferably, R₄ is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, naphthalenyl and benzothienyl (wherein benzothienyl is optionally substituted with one to two halogen substituents).

Most preferably, R₄ is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, naphthalenyl and benzothienyl (wherein benzothienyl is optionally substituted with a chloro substituent).

Embodiments of the present invention include those compounds wherein R₅ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl (optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino (substituted with two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy).

Preferably, R₅ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl.

More preferably, R₅ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl.

Most preferably, R₅ is hydrogen.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention include those compounds wherein R₆ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, aryl(C₁₋₄)alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, aryl(C₁₋₄)alkoxy, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyloxy, aryl(C₂₋₄)alkenyl, aryl(C₂₋₄)alkenyloxy, aryl, aryloxy and hydroxy.

More preferably, R₆ is selected from the group consisting of methyl, methoxy, phenyloxy and hydroxy.

Most preferably, R₆ is selected from the group consisting of methyl and hydroxy.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention include those compounds wherein Y is not present and X is one substituent attached by a double-bond selected from the group consisting of O, S, imino, (C₁₋₄)alkylimino and hydroxyimino.

More preferably, Y is not present and X is one substituent attached by a double-bond selected from the group consisting of O, imino and hydroxyimino.

Most preferably, Y is not present and X is O attached by a double-bond.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention include those compounds wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl.

More preferably, Z is hydrogen.

Embodiments of the present invention include those compounds of Formula (Ia) shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Formula (Ia)

Cpd R₇ R₈ 1 CH₃ 4-phenylcyclohexyl 2 CH₃ 1-(2-naphthalenylcarbonyl)-4-piperidinyl 3 CH₃ 1-[(6-methoxy-2-naphthalenyl)carbonyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl 4 CH₃ 1-[(6-bromo-2-naphthalenyl)carbonyl]-4-piperidinyl 5 CH₃ 1-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-oxo-2-propenyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl 6 CH₃ 1-[1-oxo-3-phenyl-2-propenyl]-4-piperidinyl 9 CH₃ 1-[3-(4-methylphenyl)-1-oxo-2-propenyl]-4-piperidinyl 10 CH₃ 1-[1-oxo-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-propenyl]-4- piperidinyl 13 CH₃ 1-[3-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1-oxo-2-propenyl]-4- piperidinyl 15 CH₃ 1-benzoyl-4-piperidinyl 17 CH₃ Cyclohexyl 18 CH₃ 1-[1-oxo-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]propyl]-4- piperidinyl 20 CH₃ 1-(2-methyl-1-oxopropyl)-4-piperidinyl 21 CH₃ Cyclopentyl 22 CH₃ 4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)cyclohexyl 24 CH₃ 1-[(6-hydroxy-2-naphthalenyl)carbonyl]-4-piperidinyl 26 CH₃ 1-acetyl-4-piperidinyl 27 CH₃ 4-methylcyclohexyl 28 CH₃ adamant-1-ylmethyl 29 CH₃ 4-phenyl-3-cyclohexen-1-yl And, 30 H 1-(2-naphthalenylcarbonyl)-4-piperidinyl and racemates, enantiomers, diastereomers, and salts thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention include those compounds of Formula (Ib) shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Formula (Ib)

Cpd R₁ 7 4-phenyl-1-piperidinyl 8 4-oxo-1-phenyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4.5]dec-8-yl 12 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperidinyl 14 4-(3-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperidinyl 16 4-(2-benzothiazolyl)-1-piperidinyl 19 3-phenyl-1-pyrrolidinyl and, 25 3-(2-phenylethyl)-1-pyrrolidinyl and racemates, enantiomers, diastereomers, and salts thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention include those compounds of Formula (Ic) shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Formula (Ic)

Cpd R₂ R₃ R₄ R₅ R₆ 11 taken together to phenyl H OH form phenyl 23 take together to 1-naphthalenyl CH₃ OH form phenyl 31 H H 1-naphthalenyl H OH 32 taken together to 1-naphthalenyl H CH₃ form phenyl And, 33 taken together to 5-chloro- H OH form phenyl benzo[b]thien-3-yl and racemates, enantiomers, diastereomers and salts thereof.

In embodiments for Formula (II) the preferred embodiments of R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are as previously described.

Preferably, R₁₀ is selected from the group consisting of

-   a). sulfonyl substituted with a substituent selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl, aryl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycl, heteroaryl,     heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl and heteroaryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl; -   b). carbonyl substituted with a substituent selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl, aryl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycl heteroaryl,     heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl, —OR₁₁ and amino     (with two substituents independently selected from the group     consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₈ alkyl,     arylcarbonyl, arylC₁₋₈ alkyl carbonyl and heteroaryl C₁₋₈ alkyl); -   c). C₁₋₈ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom with     a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycl, heteroaryl, (halo)₁₋₃,     hydroxy, —C(O)R₁₂ and amino (with two substituents independently     selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl, arylC₁₋₈     alkyl, arylcarbonyl, arylC₁₋₈ alkyl carbonyl and heteroaryl C₁₋₈     alkyl); -   d). aryl; and -   e). heteroaryl; -   wherein the heterocycl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl portion of a).,     b)., and c). are optionally substituted with one to two substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of:     -   ea). oxo     -   eb). carbonyl substituted with a substituent selected from the         group consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl, aryl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl,         aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycl         heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl and         amino (with two substituents independently selected from the         group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl, arylC₁₋₈ alkyl,         arylcarbonyl, arylC₁₋₈ alkyl carbonyl and heteroaryl C₁₋₈         alkyl);     -   ec). C₁₋₈ alkyl optionally substituted with a substituent         selected from the group consisting of amino (with two         substituents independently selected from the group consisting of         hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl, arylC₁₋₈ alkyl, arylcarbonyl, arylC₁₋₈         alkyl carbonyl and heteroaryl C₁₋₈ alkyl), aryl, cycloalkyl,         cycloalkenyl, heterocycl, heteroaryl, (halo)₁₋₃, and hydroxy;     -   ed). aryl; and     -   ef). (halo)₁₋₃ -   wherein the aryl portion of the a)., b)., c)., ec). and ed).     substituents, the heteroaryl portion of the a)., b)., c). and ec).     substituents and the d). aryl and e). heteroaryl substituents are     optionally substituted with one to four substituents independently     selected from the group consisting of -   fa). C₁₋₄ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycl, heteroaryl, (halo)₁₋₃,     hydroxy, —C(O)R₁₂ and amino (with two substituents independently     selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl, arylC₁₋₈     alkyl, arylcarbonyl, arylC₁₋₈ alkyl carbonyl and heteroaryl C₁₋₈     alkyl); -   fb). C₂₋₄ alkenyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino (with     two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of     hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   fc). C₁₋₄ alkoxy optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of (halo)₁₋₃     and hydroxy; -   fd). cycloalkyl, -   fe). heterocyclyl, -   ff). aryl optionally substituted with one to four substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₈ alkyl and     halogen; -   fg). heteroaryl, -   fh). hydroxy; -   fi). hydroxy; -   fj). nitro; and -   fk). (halo)₁₋₃; -   wherein the aryl portion of the arylC₁₋₈ alkyl, arylcarbonyl,     arylC₁₋₈ alkyl carbonyl of fa). are optionally substituted with one     to four substituents independently selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl (optionally substituted on a terminal     carbon atom with a substituent selected from the group consisting of     amino (substituted with two substituents independently selected from     the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and     hydroxy), C₁₋₄ alkoxy (optionally substituted on a terminal carbon     atom with a substituent selected from the group consisting of     (halo)₁₋₃), amino (substituted with two substituents independently     selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl),     halogen, hydroxy and nitro.

Preferably, R₁₁ is selected from the group consisting of:

-   aa). C₁₋₄ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl,     heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino (with two substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and     C₁₋₄ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   wherein the cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl portions     of the aa). substituent are optionally substituted with one to four     substituents independently selected from the group consisting of: -   ba). C₁₋₄ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino (with     two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of     hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   bb). C₁₋₄ alkoxy optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of carboxyl,     (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   bc). carbonyl substituted with a substituent selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, aryl, aryl(C₁₋₄)alkyl, aryl(C₂₋₄)alkenyl,     heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁₋₄)alkyl and heteroaryl(C₂₋₄)alkenyl; -   bd). aryl; -   be). heteroaryl; -   bf). amino substituted with two substituents independently selected     from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl; -   bh). (halo)₁₋₃; -   bi). hydroxy; and -   bk). heterocyclyl optionally substituted with one to two oxo     substituents; and, -   wherein the bd). aryl, be). heteroaryl and bk). heterocyclyl     substituents and the aryl and heteroaryl portions of the bc).     substituent are optionally substituted with one to four substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl     (optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom with a substituent     selected from the group consisting of amino (substituted with two     substituents independently selected from the group consisting of     hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy), C₁₋₄ alkoxy     (optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom with a substituent     selected from the group consisting of (halo)₁₋₃), amino (substituted     with two substituents independently selected from the group     consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), halogen, hydroxy and nitro;     Preferably, R₁₂ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl,     aryl, aryl(C₁₋₄)alkyl, aryl(C₂₋₄)alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl,     heterocycl heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁₋₄)alkyl,     heteroaryl(C₂₋₄)alkenyl, —OR₁₁ and amino (with two substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₄     alkyl, arylC₁₋₄ alkyl, arylcarbonyl, arylC₁₋₄ alkyl carbonyl and     heteroaryl C₁₋₄ alkyl); wherein the aryl, the heteroaryl portion of     R₁₂ are optionally substituted with one to four substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of: -   fa). C₁₋₄ alkyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryl,     cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycl, heteroaryl, (halo)₁₋₃,     hydroxy, —C(O)R₁₁ and amino (with two substituents independently     selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl, arylC₁₋₄     alkyl, arylcarbonyl, arylC₁₋₄ alkyl carbonyl and heteroaryl C₁₋₄     alkyl); -   fb). C₂₋₄ alkenyl optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino (with     two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of     hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and hydroxy; -   fc). C₁₋₄ alkoxy optionally substituted on a terminal carbon atom     with a substituent selected from the group consisting of (halo)₁₋₃     and hydroxy; -   fd). cycloalkyl, -   fe). heterocyclyl, -   ff). aryl optionally substituted with one to four substituents     independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl and     halogen; -   fg). heteroaryl, -   fh). (halo)₁₋₃; -   fi). hydroxy; and -   fj). nitro; -   wherein the aryl portion of the arylC₁₋₈ alkyl, arylcarbonyl,     arylC₁₋₈ alkyl carbonyl of fa). are optionally substituted with one     to four substituents independently selected from the group     consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl (optionally substituted on a terminal     carbon atom with a substituent selected from the group consisting of     amino (substituted with two substituents independently selected from     the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₈ alkyl), (halo)₁₋₃ and     hydroxy), C₁₋₄ alkoxy (optionally substituted on a terminal carbon     atom with a substituent selected from the group consisting of     (halo)₁₋₃), amino (substituted with two substituents independently     selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl),     halogen, hydroxy and nitro;

Embodiments of the present invention include those compounds of Formula (IIa) shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4

Cpd R₁₀ 37 naphthalene-2-yl-acetyl 38 2-naphthoyl 39 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl) 40 1-(4-methoxyphenyl) 41 N-[5-(sulfonyl)-thiophene-2-ylmethyl]-benzamide 42 6-chloro-5-sulfonyl-imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole 43 Naphthyl-2-aminocarbonyl 44 1-(4-fluorophenyl) and racemates, enantiomers, diastereomers and salts thereof.

The compounds of the present invention may also be present in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts. For use in medicine, the salts of the compounds of this invention refer to non-toxic “pharmaceutically acceptable salts.” FDA approved pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms (Ref. International J. Pharm. 1986, 33, 201-217; J. Pharm. Sci., 1977, January, 66(1), p 1) include pharmaceutically acceptable acidic/anionic or basic/cationic salts.

Pharmaceutically acceptable acidic/anionic salts include, and are not limited to acetate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bicarbonate, bitartrate, bromide, calcium edetate, camsylate, carbonate, chloride, citrate, dihydrochloride, edetate, edisylate, estolate, esylate, fumarate, glyceptate, gluconate, glutamate, glycollylarsanilate, hexylresorcinate, hydrabamine, hydrobromide, hydrochloride, hydroxynaphthoate, iodide, isethionate, lactate, lactobionate, malate, maleate, mandelate, mesylate, methylbromide, methylnitrate, methylsulfate, mucate, napsylate, nitrate, pamoate, pantothenate, phosphate/diphospate, polygalacturonate, salicylate, stearate, subacetate, succinate, sulfate, tannate, tartrate, teoclate, tosylate and triethiodide. Organic or inorganic acids also include, and are not limited to, hydriodic, perchloric, sulfuric, phosphoric, propionic, glycolic, methanesulfonic, hydroxyethanesulfonic, oxalic, 2-naphthalenesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, cyclohexanesulfamic, saccharinic or trifluoroacetic acid.

Pharmaceutically acceptable basic/cationic salts include, and are not limited to aluminum, 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-propane-1,3-diol (also known as tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, tromethane or “TRIS”), ammonia, benzathine, t-butylamine, calcium, calcium gluconate, calcium hydroxide, chloroprocaine, choline, choline bicarbonate, choline chloride, cyclohexylamine, diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, lithium, LiOMe, L-lysine, magnesium, meglumine, NH₃, NH₄OH, N-methyl-D-glucamine, piperidine, potassium, potassium-t-butoxide, potassium hydroxide (aqueous), procaine, quinine, SEH, sodium, sodium carbonate, sodium-2-ethylhexanoate, sodium hydroxide, triethanolamine (TEA) or zinc.

Compounds of the present invention may be contacted with a pharmaceutically acceptable cation selected from the group consisting of aluminum, 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-propane-1,3-diol (also known as tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, tromethane or “TRIS”), ammonia, benzathine, t-butylamine, calcium, calcium gluconate, calcium hydroxide, chloroprocaine, choline, choline bicarbonate, choline chloride, cyclohexylamine, diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, lithium, LiOMe, L-lysine, magnesium, meglumine, NH₃, NH₄OH, N-methyl-D-glucamine, piperidine, potassium, potassium-t-butoxide, potassium hydroxide (aqueous), procaine, quinine, SEH, sodium, sodium carbonate, sodium-2-ethylhexanoate, sodium hydroxide, triethanolamine (TEA) and zinc to form a salt.

Preferred cations for use with the instant compounds are selected from the group consisting of benzathine, t-butylamine, calcium gluconate, calcium hydroxide, choline bicarbonate, choline chloride, cyclohexylamine, diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, LiOMe, L-lysine, NH₃, NH₄OH, N-methyl-D-glucamine, piperidine, potassium-t-butoxide, potassium hydroxide (aqueous), procaine, quinine, sodium carbonate, sodium-2-ethylhexanoate, sodium hydroxide, triethanolamine and tromethane.

More preferably, cations for use with the instant compounds are selected from the group consisting of t-butylamine, NH₄OH and tromethane.

Most preferably, the cation for use with the instant compounds is tromethane.

The present invention includes within its scope prodrugs of the compounds of this invention. In general, such prodrugs will be functional derivatives of the compounds, which are readily convertible in vivo into an active compound. Thus, in the methods of treatment of the present invention, the term “administering” shall encompass the treatment of the various disorders described with the compound specifically disclosed or a prodrug compound which would be obviously included within the scope of the invention although not specifically disclosed including, but not limited to diphenylphosphonate or diphenylphosphinate esters of certain of the instant compounds. Conventional procedures for the selection and preparation of suitable prodrug derivatives are described, for example, in “Design of Prodrugs”, ed. H. Bundgaard, Elsevier, 1985. Phosphonic acid prodrugs (as described in De Lombaert S., et al, Non-Peptidic Inhibitors of Neutral Endopeptidase 24.11; Design and Pharmacology of Orally Active Phosphonate Prodrugs, Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 1995, 5(2), 151-154; and, De Lombaert S., et al, N-Phosphonomethyl Dipeptides and Their Phosphonate Prodrugs, a New Generation Neutral Endopeptidase (NEP, EC 3.424.11) Inhibitors, J. Med. Chem., 1994, 37, 498-511) and phosphinic acid prodrugs are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

The compounds according to this invention may have at least one chiral center and thus may exist as enantiomers. In addition, the compounds of the present invention may also possess two or more chiral centers and thus may also exist as diastereomers. Where the processes for the preparation of the present compounds give rise to a mixture of stereoisomers, these isomers may be separated by conventional techniques such as preparative chromatography. Accordingly, the compounds may be prepared as a racemic mixture or, by either enantiospecific synthesis or resolution, as individual enantiomers. The compounds may, for example, be resolved from a racemic mixture into their component racemates by standard techniques, such as the formation of diastereomeric pairs by salt formation with an optically active base, followed by fractional crystallization and regeneration of the compounds of this invention. The racemic mixture may also be resolved by formation of diastereomeric esters or amides, followed by chromatographic separation and removal of the chiral auxiliary. Alternatively, the compounds may be resolved using a chiral HPLC column. It is to be understood that all such isomers and mixtures thereof are encompassed within the scope of the present invention.

The compounds according to this invention wherein Z forms a double bond with the carbon of attachment for X, Y is not present and X is hydroxy may have at least one keto-enol tautomeric form and thus may exist in equilibrium as geometric isomers. It is to be understood that all such isomers and mixtures thereof are encompassed within the scope of the present invention.

During any of the processes for preparation of the compounds of the present invention, it may be necessary and/or desirable to protect sensitive or reactive groups on any of the molecules concerned. This may be achieved by means of conventional protecting groups, such as those described in Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, ed. J. F. W. McOmie, Plenum Press, 1973; and T. W. Greene & P. G. M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley & Sons, 1991. The protecting groups may be removed at a convenient subsequent stage using methods known in the art.

Furthermore, some of the crystalline forms for the compounds may exist as polymorphs and as such are intended to be included in the present invention. In addition, some of the compounds may form solvates with water (i.e., hydrates) or common organic solvents, and such solvates are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of this invention.

As used herein, unless otherwise noted, “alkyl” whether used alone or as part of a substituent group refers to straight and branched carbon chains having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or any number within this range. The term “alkoxy” refers to an —O-alkyl substituent group, wherein alkyl is as defined supra. Similarly, the terms “alkenyl” and “alkynyl” refer to straight and branched carbon chains having 2 to 8 carbon atoms or any number within this range, wherein an alkenyl chain has at least one double bond in the chain and an alkynyl chain has at least one triple bond in the chain. An alkyl and alkoxy chain may be substituted on a terminal carbon atom or, when acting as a linking group, within the carbon chain.

The term “cycloalkyl” refers to saturated, monocyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon rings of from 3 to 20 carbon atom members (preferably from 3 to 12 carbon atom members). Further, a cycloalkyl ring may optionally be fused to one or more cycloalkyl rings. Examples of such rings include, and are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or adamantyl.

The term “cycloalkenyl” refers to partially unsaturated, nonaromatic moncyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon rings of 3 to 20 carbon atom members (preferably from 3 to 12 carbon atom members). Typically, a 3 to 5 member ring contains one double bond and a 6 to 9 member ring contains multiple double bonds. Further, a cycloalkenyl ring may optionally be fused to one or more cycloalkyl rings or cycloalkenyl rings. Examples of such rings include, and are not limited to, cyclopropenyl, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, or cycloheptenyl.

The term “heterocyclyl” refers to a nonaromatic cyclic ring of 5 to 8 members in which 1 to 4 members are nitrogen or a nonaromatic cyclic ring of 5 to 8 members in which zero, one or two members are nitrogen and one member is oxygen or sulfur; wherein, optionally, the ring contains zero, one or two unsaturated bonds. Alternatively, the heterocyclyl ring may be fused to a benzene ring (benzo fused heterocyclyl), a 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring (containing one of O, S or N and, optionally, one additional nitrogen), a 5 to 7 membered cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl ring, a 5 to 7 membered heterocyclyl ring (of the same definition as above but absent the option of a further fused ring) or fused with the carbon of attachment of a cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl or heterocyclyl ring to form a spiro moiety. For instant compounds of the invention, the carbon atom ring members that form the heterocyclyl ring are fully saturated. Other compounds of the invention may have a partially saturated heterocyclyl ring. Additionally, the heterocyclyl can be bridged to form bicyclic rings. Preferred partially saturated heterocyclyl rings may have from one to two double bonds. Such compounds are not considered to be fully aromatic and are not referred to as heteroaryl compounds. Examples of heterocyclyl groups include, and are not limited to, pyrrolinyl (including 2H-pyrrole, 2-pyrrolinyl or 3-pyrrolinyl), pyrrolidinyl, 2-imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, 2-pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl and piperazinyl. In the present invention, when R₁ is selected from heterocyclyl, the term “heterocyclyl” refers to a nonaromatic cyclic ring of 5 to 8 members in which 1 to 4 members are nitrogen; wherein, the point of attachment for the heterocyclyl ring at R₁ is a nitrogen ring member; and, wherein optionally the ring contains zero, one (for 5 and 6 member rings) or two (for 6, 7 and 8 member rings) unsaturated bonds.

The term “aryl” refers to an unsaturated, aromatic monocyclic ring of 6 carbon members or to an unsaturated, aromatic polycyclic ring of from 10 to 20 carbon members. Further, an aryl ring may optionally be fused to one or more benzene rings (benzo fused aryl), cycloalkyl rings (e.g. benzo fused cycloalkyl) or cycloalkenyl rings (e.g. benzo fused cycloalkenyl) wherein, for the purpose of these definitions, the cycloalkyl rings and cycloalkenyl rings may be fused to an additional benzene ring (to provide fused multiple ring systems such as fluorene). Examples of such aryl rings include, and are not limited to, phenyl, naphthalenyl, fluorenyl, indenyl or anthracenyl.

The term “heteroaryl” refers to an aromatic ring of 5 or 6 members wherein the ring consists of carbon atoms and has at least one heteroatom member. Suitable heteroatoms include nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur. In the case of 5 membered rings, the heteroaryl ring contains one member of nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur and, in addition, may contain up to two additional nitrogens. In the case of 6 membered rings, the heteroaryl ring may contain from one to three nitrogen atoms. For the case wherein the 6 member ring has three nitrogens, at most two nitrogen atoms are adjacent. Optionally, the heteroaryl ring is fused to a benzene ring (benzo fused heteroaryl), a 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring (containing one of O, S or N and, optionally, one additional nitrogen), a 5 to 7 membered alicyclic ring or a 5 to 7 membered heterocyclo ring (as defined supra but absent the option of a further fused ring). Examples of heteroaryl groups include, and are not limited to, furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, triazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl or pyrazinyl; fused heteroaryl groups include indolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl, indazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzthiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzotriazolyl, quinolizinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl or quinazolinyl.

The term “arylalkyl” means an alkyl group substituted with an aryl group (e.g., benzyl, phenethyl). Similarly, the term “arylalkoxy” indicates an alkoxy group substituted with an aryl group (e.g., benzyloxy).

As used herein, the term “carboxyl” refers to the linking group —C(O)O— or (when used accordingly) to the substituent —COOH; the term “imino” refers to the substituent HN═.

Whenever the term “alkyl” or “aryl” or either of their prefix roots appear in a name of a substituent (e.g., arylalkyl, alkylamino) it shall be interpreted as including those limitations given above for “alkyl” and “aryl.” Designated numbers of carbon atoms (e.g., C₁-C₆) shall refer independently to the number of carbon atoms in an alkyl moiety or to the alkyl portion of a larger substituent in which alkyl appears as its prefix root. However, for clarity in the terms “C₉-C₁₄ benzo fused cycloalkyl”, “C₉-C₁₄ benzo fused cycloalkenyl”, “C₉-C₁₄ benzo fused aryl”; C₉-C₁₄ refers to the number of carbon atoms both in the benzene ring (6) and the number of atoms in the ring fused to the benzene ring, but does not include carbon atoms that may be pendent from these multiple ring systems. The amount of substituents attached to a moiety “optionally substituted with one to five substituents” is limited to that amount of open valences on the moiety available for substitution.

In general, under standard nomenclature rules used throughout this disclosure, the terminal portion of the designated side chain is described first followed by the adjacent functionality toward the point of attachment. Thus, for example, a “phenylC₁-C₆ alkylamidoC₁-C₆alkyl” substituent refers to a group of the formula:

It is intended that the definition of any substituent or variable at a particular location in a molecule be independent of its definitions elsewhere in that molecule. It is understood that substituents and substitution patterns on the compounds of this invention can be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art to provide compounds that are chemically stable and that can be readily synthesized by techniques known in the art as well as those methods set forth herein.

Illustrative of the invention is a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and any of the compounds described above. Also illustrative of the invention is a composition made by mixing any of the compounds described above and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A further illustration of the invention is a process for making a composition comprising mixing any of the compounds described above and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention also provides compositions comprising one or more compounds of this invention in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

The compounds of the present invention are useful serine protease inhibitors (in particular, inhibitors of cathepsin G and chymase) useful for treating inflammatory and serine protease mediated disorders. Some of these disorders include, inflammatory and serine protease mediated disorders include, and are not limited to, pulmonary inflammatory conditions, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, asthma, pulmonary emphysema, bronchitis, psoriasis, allergic rhinitis, viral rhinitis, ischemia, arthritis, glomerulonephritis, postoperative adhesion formation and reperfusion injury. These compounds would be useful in treating disease states caused by angiotensin II including but not limited to hypertension, hypercardia myocardial infarction, arteriosclerosis, diabetic and non-diabetic retinopathy, vascular restenosis and the like. Additionally, these compounds can be used for immune modulation. The utility of the compounds to treat inflammatory and serine protease mediated disorders can be determined according to the procedures described herein.

An embodiment of the invention is a method for treating inflammatory and serine protease mediated disorders in a subject in need thereof which comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of any of the compounds or compositions described above. Also included in the invention is the use of a compound of Formula (I) for the preparation of a medicament for treating an inflammatory or serine protease mediated disorder in a subject in need thereof. The term “treating” as used herein refers to a method for improving, halting, retarding or palliating an inflammatory or serine protease mediated disorder in the subject in need thereof. All such methods of treatment are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

In accordance with the methods of the present invention, the individual components of the compositions described herein can also be administered separately at different times during the course of therapy or concurrently in divided or single combination forms. The instant invention is therefore to be understood as embracing all such regimes of simultaneous or alternating treatment and the term “administering” is to be interpreted accordingly.

The term “subject” as used herein, refers to an animal (preferably, a mammal; most preferably, a human) who has been the object of treatment, observation or experiment.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” as used herein, means that amount of active compound or pharmaceutical agent that elicits the biological or medicinal response in a tissue system, animal or human, that is being sought by a researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor, or other clinician, which includes alleviation of the symptoms of the disease or disorder being treated.

As used herein, the term “composition” is intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combinations of the specified ingredients in the specified amounts.

To prepare the compositions of this invention, one or more compounds of Formula (I) or salt thereof as the active ingredient, is intimately admixed with a pharmaceutical carrier according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques, which carrier may take a wide variety of forms depending of the form of preparation desired for administration (e.g. oral or parenteral). Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are well known in the art. Descriptions of some of these pharmaceutically acceptable carriers may be found in The Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, published by the American Pharmaceutical Association and the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

Methods of formulating compositions have been described in numerous publications such as Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded, Volumes 1-3, edited by Lieberman et al; Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Parenteral Medications, Volumes 1-2, edited by Avis et al; and Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Disperse Systems, Volumes 1-2, edited by Lieberman et al; published by Marcel Dekker, Inc.

In preparing a composition of the present invention in liquid dosage form for oral, topical, inhalation/insufflation and parenteral administration, any of the usual pharmaceutical media or excipients may be employed. Thus, for liquid dosage forms, such as suspensions (i.e. colloids, emulsions and dispersions) and solutions, suitable carriers and additives include but are not limited to pharmaceutically acceptable wetting agents, dispersants, flocculation agents, thickeners, pH control agents (i.e. buffers), osmotic agents, coloring agents, flavors, fragrances, preservatives (i.e. to control microbial growth, etc.) and a liquid vehicle may be employed. Not all of the components listed above will be required for each liquid dosage form.

In solid oral preparations such as, for example, powders, granules, capsules, caplets, gelcaps, pills and tablets (each including immediate release, timed release and sustained release formulations), suitable carriers and additives include but are not limited to diluents, granulating agents, lubricants, binders, glidants, disintegrating agents and the like. Because of their ease of administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit form, in which case solid pharmaceutical carriers are obviously employed. If desired, tablets may be sugar coated, gelatin coated, film coated or enteric coated by standard techniques.

Preferably these compositions are in unit dosage forms from such as tablets, pills, capsules, powders, granules, lozenges, sterile parenteral solutions or suspensions, metered aerosol or liquid sprays, drops, ampoules, autoinjector devices or suppositories for administration by oral, intranasal, sublingual, intraocular, transdermal, parenteral, rectal, vaginal, inhalation or insufflation means. Alternatively, the composition may be presented in a form suitable for once-weekly or once-monthly administration; for example, an insoluble salt of the active compound, such as the decanoate salt, may be adapted to provide a depot preparation for intramuscular injection.

For preparing solid compositions such as tablets, the principal active ingredient is mixed with a pharmaceutical carrier, e.g. conventional tabletting ingredients such as diluents, binders, adhesives, disintegrants, lubricants, antiadherents and glidants. Suitable diluents include, but are not limited to, starch (i.e. corn, wheat, or potato starch, which may be hydrolized), lactose (granulated, spray dried or anhydrous), sucrose, sucrose-based diluents (confectioner's sugar; sucrose plus about 7 to 10 weight percent invert sugar; sucrose plus about 3 weight percent modified dextrins; sucrose plus invert sugar, about 4 weight percent invert sugar, about 0.1 to 0.2 weight percent cornstarch and magnesium stearate), dextrose, inositol, mannitol, sorbitol, microcrystalline cellulose (i.e. AVICEL™ microcrystalline cellulose available from FMC Corp.), dicalcium phosphate, calcium sulfate dihydrate, calcium lactate trihydrate and the like. Suitable binders and adhesives include, but are not limited to acacia gum, guar gum, tragacanth gum, sucrose, gelatin, glucose, starch, and cellulosics (i.e. methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethycellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, and the like), water soluble or dispersible binders (i.e. alginic acid and salts thereof, magnesium aluminum silicate, hydroxyethylcellulose [i.e. TYLOSE™ available from Hoechst Celanese], polyethylene glycol, polysaccharide acids, bentonites, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polymethacrylates and pregelatinized starch) and the like. Suitable disintegrants include, but are not limited to, starches (corn, potato, etc.), sodium starch glycolates, pregelatinized starches, clays (magnesium aluminum silicate), celluloses (such as crosslinked sodium carboxymethylcellulose and microcrystalline cellulose), alginates, pregelatinized starches (i.e. corn starch, etc.), gums (i.e. agar, guar, locust bean, karaya, pectin, and tragacanth gum), cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone and the like. Suitable lubricants and antiadherents include, but are not limited to, stearates (magnesium, calcium and sodium), stearic acid, talc waxes, stearowet, boric acid, sodium chloride, DL-leucine, carbowax 4000, carbowax 6000, sodium oleate, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium lauryl sulfate and the like. Suitable gildants include, but are not limited to, talc, cornstarch, silica (i.e. CAB-0-SIL™ silica available from Cabot, SYLOID™ silica available from W.R. Grace/Davison, and AEROSIL™ silica available from Degussa) and the like. Sweeteners and flavorants may be added to chewable solid dosage forms to improve the palatability of the oral dosage form. Additionally, colorants and coatings may be added or applied to the solid dosage form for ease of identification of the drug or for aesthetic purposes. These carriers are formulated with the pharmaceutical active to provide an accurate, appropriate dose of the pharmaceutical active with a therapeutic release profile.

Generally these carriers are mixed with the pharmaceutical active to form a solid preformulation composition containing a homogeneous mixture of the pharmaceutical active of the present invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Generally the preformulation will be formed by one of three common methods: (a) wet granulation, (b) dry granulation and (c) dry blending. When referring to these preformulation compositions as homogeneous, it is meant that the active ingredient is dispersed evenly throughout the composition so that the composition may be readily subdivided into equally effective dosage forms such as tablets, pills and capsules. This solid preformulation composition is then subdivided into unit dosage forms of the type described above containing from about 0.01 mg to about 500 mg of the active ingredient of the present invention. The tablets or pills containing the novel compositions may also be formulated in multilayer tablets or pills to provide a sustained or provide dual-release products. For example, a dual release tablet or pill can comprise an inner dosage and an outer dosage component, the latter being in the form of an envelope over the former. The two components can be separated by an enteric layer, which serves to resist disintegration in the stomach and permits the inner component to pass intact into the duodenum or to be delayed in release. A variety of materials can be used for such enteric layers or coatings, such materials including a number of polymeric materials such as shellac, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate phthalate, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, methacrylate and ethylacrylate copolymers and the like. Sustained release tablets may also be made by film coating or wet granulation using slightly soluble or insoluble substances in solution (which for a wet granulation acts as the binding agents) or low melting solids a molten form (which in a wet granulation may incorporate the active ingredient). These materials include natural and synthetic polymers waxes, hydrogenated oils, fatty acids and alcohols (i.e. beeswax, carnauba wax, cetyl alcohol, cetylstearyl alcohol, and the like), esters of fatty acids metallic soaps, and other acceptable materials that can be used to granulate, coat, entrap or otherwise limit the solubility of an active ingredient to achieve a prolonged or sustained release product.

The liquid forms in which the novel compositions of the present invention may be incorporated for administration orally or by injection include, but are not limited to aqueous solutions, suitably flavored syrups, aqueous or oil suspensions, and flavored emulsions with edible oils such as cottonseed oil, sesame oil, coconut oil or peanut oil, as well as elixirs and similar pharmaceutical vehicles. Suitable suspending agents for aqueous suspensions, include synthetic and natural gums such as, acacia, agar, alginate (i.e. propylene alginate, sodium alginate and the like), guar, karaya, locust bean, pectin, tragacanth, and xanthan gum, cellulosics such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and combinations thereof, synthetic polymers such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carbomer (i.e. carboxypolymethylene), and polyethylene glycol; clays such as bentonite, hectorite, attapulgite or sepiolite; and other pharmaceutically acceptable suspending agents such as lecithin, gelatin or the like. Suitable surfactants include but are not limited to sodium docusate, sodium lauryl sulfate, polysorbate, octoxynol-9, nonoxynol-10, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, polyoxamer 188, polyoxamer 235 and combinations thereof. Suitable deflocculating or dispersing agent include pharmaceutical grade lecithins. Suitable flocculating agent include but are not limited to simple neutral electrolytes (i.e. sodium chloride, potassium, chloride, and the like), highly charged insoluble polymers and polyelectrolyte species, water soluble divalent or trivalent ions (i.e. calcium salts, alums or sulfates, citrates and phosphates (which can be used jointly in formulations as pH buffers and flocculating agents). Suitable preservatives include but are not limited to parabens (i.e. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl and n-butyl), sorbic acid, thimerosal, quaternary ammonium salts, benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid, chlorhexidine gluconate, phenylethanol and the like. There are many liquid vehicles that may be used in liquid pharmaceutical dosage forms, however, the liquid vehicle that is used in a particular dosage form must be compatible with the suspending agent(s). For example, nonpolar liquid vehicles such as fatty esters and oils liquid vehicles are best used with suspending agents such as low HLB (Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance) surfactants, stearalkonium hectorite, water insoluble resins, water insoluble film forming polymers and the like. Conversely, polar liquids such as water, alcohols, polyols and glycols are best used with suspending agents such as higher HLB surfactants, clays silicates, gums, water soluble cellulosics, water soluble polymers and the like. For parenteral administration, sterile suspensions and solutions are desired. Liquid forms useful for parenteral administration include sterile solutions, emulsions and suspensions. Isotonic preparations which generally contain suitable preservatives are employed when intravenous administration is desired.

Furthermore, compounds of the present invention can be administered in an intranasal dosage form via topical use of suitable intranasal vehicles or via transdermal skin patches, the composition of which are well known to those of ordinary skill in that art. To be administered in the form of a transdermal delivery system, the administration of a therapeutic dose will, of course, be continuous rather than intermittent throughout the dosage regimen.

Compounds of the present invention can also be administered in a form suitable for intranasal or inhalation therapy. For such therapy, compounds of the present invention are conveniently delivered in the form of a solution or suspension from a pump spray container that is squeezed or pumped or as an aerosol spray from a pressurized container or a nebulizer (such as, a metered dose inhaler, a dry powder inhaler or other conventional or non-conventional modes or devices for inhalation delivery) using a suitable propellant (such as, dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas). In the case of a pressurized aerosol, the dosage unit may be determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount. The pressurized container or nebulizer may contain a solution or suspension of the active compound. Capsules and cartridges (such as, those made from gelatin) for use in an inhaler or insufflator may be formulated containing a powder mix of a compound of the invention and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch.

Compounds of the present invention can also be administered in the form of liposome delivery systems, such as small unilamellar vesicles, large unilamellar vesicles, multilamellar vesicles and the like. Liposomes can be formed from a variety of phospholipids, such as cholesterol, stearylamine, phosphatidylcholines and the like.

Compounds of the present invention may also be delivered by the use of monoclonal antibodies as individual carriers to which the compound molecules are coupled. The compounds of the present invention may also be coupled with soluble polymers as targetable drug carriers. Such polymers can include, but are not limited to polyvinylpyrrolidone, pyran copolymer, polyhydroxypropylmethacrylamidephenol, polyhydroxy-ethylaspartamidephenol, or polyethyl eneoxidepolylysine substituted with palmitoyl residue. Furthermore, the compounds of the present invention may be coupled to a class of biodegradable polymers useful in achieving controlled release of a drug, for example, to homopolymers and copolymers (which means polymers containing two or more chemically distinguishable repeating units) of lactide (which includes lactic acid d-, l- and meso lactide), glycolide (including glycolic acid), ε-caprolactone, p-dioxanone (1,4-dioxan-2-one), trimethylene carbonate (1,3-dioxan-2-one), alkyl derivatives of trimethylene carbonate, δ-valerolactone, β-butyrolactone, γ-butyrolactone, ε-decalactone, hydroxybutyrate, hydroxyvalerate, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one (including its dimer 1,5,8,12-tetraoxacyclotetradecane-7,14-dione), 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, 6,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxan-2-one, polyorthoesters, polyacetals, polydihydropyrans, polycyanoacrylates and cross-linked or amphipathic block copolymers of hydrogels and blends thereof.

The therapeutically effective amount of a compound or composition thereof may be from about 0.001 mg/Kg/dose to about 300 mg/Kg/dose. Preferably, the therapeutically effective amount may be from about 0.001 mg/Kg/dose to about 100 mg/Kg/dose. More preferably, the therapeutically effective amount may be from about 0.001 mg/Kg/dose to about 50 mg/Kg/dose. Most preferably, the therapeutically effective amount may be from about 0.001 mg/Kg/dose to about 30 mg/Kg/dose. Therefore, the therapeutically effective amount of the active ingredient contained per dosage unit (e.g., tablet, capsule, powder, injection, suppository, teaspoonful and the like) as described herein will be in the range of from about 1 mg/day to about 21,000 mg/day for a subject, for example, having an average weight of 70 Kg. For oral administration, the compositions are preferably provided in the form of tablets containing, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 25.0, 50.0, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 500 milligrams of the active ingredient for the symptomatic adjustment of the dosage to the subject to be treated.

Optimal dosages to be administered may be readily determined by those skilled in the art, and will vary with the particular compound used, the mode of administration, the strength of the preparation, and the advancement of the disease condition. In addition, factors associated with the particular subject being treated, including subject age, weight, diet and time of administration, will result in the need to adjust the dose to an appropriate therapeutic level. Advantageously, compounds of the present invention may be administered in a single daily dose or the total daily dosage may be administered in divided doses of two, three or four times daily.

Representative IUPAC names for the compounds of the present invention were derived using the ACD/LABS SOFTWARE™ Index Name Pro Version 4.5 nomenclature software program provided by Advanced Chemistry Development, Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Abbreviations used in the instant specification, particularly the Schemes and Examples, are as follows:

-   Boc=tert-butoxycarbonyl -   BuLi=n-butyllithium -   Cpd=compound -   DCC=dicyclohexylcarbodiimide -   h=hour/hours -   HOBT=hydroxybenzotriazole -   KH=potassium hydride -   Mel=methyliodide -   NT=not tested -   rt/RT=room temperature -   TFA=trifluoroacetic acid -   TMSBr=bromotrimethylsilane

General Synthetic Methods

Representative compounds of the present invention can be synthesized in accordance with the general synthetic methods described below and are illustrated more particularly in the scheme that follows. Since the scheme is an illustration, the invention should not be construed as being limited by the chemical reactions and conditions expressed. The preparation of the various starting materials used in the schemes is well within the skill of persons versed in the art.

Scheme A

Scheme A is illustrative of a general method for the preparation of compounds of the invention by addition of a phosphonate or phosphinate anion, prepared from a phosphonate or phosphinate Compound A2, and an organometallic base such as n-butyllithium, to an anhydride Compound A1 in a solvent such as THF to afford a ketophosphonate or ketophosphinate Compound A3, wherein Z is hydrogen, Y is not present and X is one oxygen substituent attached by a double-bond to the carbon in the position β to R₄.

Other compounds of the present invention may be obtained from Compound A3 using standard ketone manipulations wherein the β position carbon may be reduced from the ketone to a compound of Formula (I) wherein X and Y are both present or wherein Z is a bond. Examples of ketone manipulations include, but are not limited to, the use of 1) organometallic reagents to form alkoxy groups; 2) hydroxyl amines to form imino groups; and, 3) Lawesson's reagent to substitute a thio group in place of the ketone (with appropriate protecting groups added to the COOH group shown).

Compound A2, wherein R₆ is as previously defined, can be made according to known methods, such as those described in Katritsky, et. al., Org. Prep. Proced. Int., 1990, 22(2), 209-213; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2002, 124, 9386-9387; and, Chem. Ber., 1963, 96, 3184-3194. In an embodiment of a general synthetic method, the R₅ substitutent of Compound A4 is hydrogen and the R₆ substitutent is ethoxy.

Compound A2, wherein R₄ is heteroaryl, can be prepared from commercially available or known haloalkyl substituted heteroaryl starting materials (such as 3-bromomethyl-5-Cl-benzothiophene used to prepare Cpd 33) using techniques known to those skilled in the art.

Compound A3 may be coupled to the R₁ portion of Formula (I) using standard coupling reactions. For example, when R₁ is a secondary amine in a heterocyclyl ring, the nitrogen on the ring may be coupled to Compound A3 (similar to the reaction shown in Scheme A, e.g. the ring nitrogen in Compound A4 would be coupled with Compound A8). Appropriate blocking groups can be employed to minimize undesirable side reactions. Analogous coupling reactions with Compound A3 can be performed when R₁ is N(R₇R₈) to couple the substituted amine to the carboxylic acid of Compound A3. In one embodiment of the present invention the coupling reaction of Compound A3 with R₁ when R₁ is N(R₇R₈) and R₈ is a heterocycle is provided to further illustrate the present invention.

In Scheme A, the reaction of a suitably protected amino substituted heterocycle Compound A4 (wherein the protected amino is substituted with a hydrogen atom for R₇ and an unsubstituted ad). heterocycle for R₈) with a Q-substituted R_(8a) Compound A5 (wherein Q is a suitable leaving group (such as, but not limited to, a halogen atom) and R_(8a) is a substituent as previously defined in the R₈ ba).-bl) list) in a solvent such as DMF containing a base (such as, but not limited to, triethylamine) provided an R_(8b) substituted Compound A6.

In an embodiment of a general synthetic method, the heterocyclyl portion of Compound A4 was further substituted on a nitrogen ring atom by reaction with an acid chloride Compound A5, wherein the Q portion was chlorine and wherein the R_(8a) portion was bc). carbonyl substituted with an R_(8b) substituent selected from C₁₋₈alkyl, aryl, aryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl, aryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁₋₈)alkyl or heteroaryl(C₂₋₈)alkenyl. In an alternate embodiment, the reaction may performed by reaction with an acid chloride Compound A5, wherein the Q portion is chlorine and wherein the R_(8a) portion is bl). sulfonyl substituted with an R_(8b) substituent; wherein R_(8b) is as previously defined.

Treatment of Compound A6 with a base such as potassium hydride followed by treatment with an R₇X alkylating agent such as iodomethane in a solvent such as THF yielded Compound A7. The amine Compound A8 can be obtained from Compound A7 by removal of the Boc protecting group upon treatment with an acid such as TFA in a solvent such as CH₂Cl₂. The free base of Compound A8 is obtained upon treatment with a base such as aqueous Na₂CO₃.

Compound A9 can be prepared by a standard coupling procedure between Compound A3 and Compound A8 using routine reagents such as DCC and HOBT in a solvent such as CH₃CN. Dealkylation of Compound A9 with reagent such as bromotrimethylsilane in a solvent such as pyridine, followed by treatment with dilute HCl afforded Compound A10 (wherein, in an embodiment of a general synthetic method, the R₅ ethyl group and the R₆ ethoxy group were replaced with hydrogen). A salt of Compound A10 such as target Compound A11 can be prepared by treating Compound A10 with a monobasic or dibasic amine such as tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane in a solvent system such as i-PrOH and water.

Scheme B

Scheme B is illustrative of an alternative general synthetic method for the preparation of compounds of the invention by addition of a Compound A2 (in an embodiment of an alternative general method, the R₅ substitutent of Compound A2 is ethyl and the R₆ substitutent is ethoxy) and R″M (wherein R″M represents an organometallic reagent such as LiHMDS (lithium hexamethyldisilylazide), lithium tetramethylpiperidide or NaHMDS (sodium hexamethyldisilazide)) to an anhydride Compound A1.

The reaction is subsequently quenched with 6N HCl to a pH between 4 and 6 to afford an enol Compound B1, wherein for a compound of Formula (I), Z is a bond, Y is not present and X is one oxygen substituent attached by a single-bond to the carbon in the position β to R₄. Other compounds of the present invention may be obtained from Compound B1 using standard ketone manipulation wherein the enol double bond may be reduced to the ketone; wherein for a compound of Formula (I), Y is not present and X is one oxygen substituent attached by a double-bond on the β position carbon. A coupling reagent (such as, but not limited to, chloroformates (such as, but not limited to, isobutyl chloroformate), cyanuric chloride, methanesulfonyl chloride, or diethyl chlorophosphate) may then be employed for ring closure to form a substituted lactone intermediate Compound B2 in the presence of a base such as, but not limited to, Et₃N.

Reaction of a dihydroxy substituted heterocycle Compound B3 (or other ketones and other protected ketones) with a Q-substituted R_(8a) Compound A5 in a solvent (such as, but not limited to, CH₂Cl₂, THF or mixtures thereof) containing a base (such as, but not limited to, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate) provided an R_(8b) substituted Compound B4.

Compound B4 was treated with R₇NH₂ in a solvent (such as, but not limited to, CH₂Cl₂, THF or mixtures thereof) then subjected to reductive amination or hydrogenation using a hydride reducing agent (such as, but not limited to, NaBH(OAc)₃, or hydrogenation with Pd, Pt or Ni catalyst). The free base of Compound A8 was obtained upon quenching the reaction with a base such as aqueous Na₂CO₃.

Compound A9 (in tautomeric equilibrium with Compound B6) was prepared by opening the 5-membered lactone ring intermediate Compound B2 with Compound A8 (or Compound B5, a salt of Compound A8) in the presence of DIEA (diisopropylethylamine) in a solvent (such as, but not limited to, acetone or MEK (methylethyl ketone)).

Dealkylation of the equilibrium mixture of Compound A9-Compound B6 with a reagent (such as, but not limited to, TMSBr (bromotrimethylsilane) or TMSI) in a solvent (such as, but not limited to, CH₃CN or pyridine), followed by recrystallization afforded Compound A10 (wherein the R₅ ethyl group is replaced with hydrogen and the R₆ ethoxy group is replaced with hydroxy). A salt of Compound A10 such as Compound A11 (and tautomers thereof) was prepared by treating Compound A10 with a diamine such as tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane in a solvent system such as a mixture of EtOH and water.

Scheme C

Scheme C is illustrative of an alternative method for the preparation of the intermediate Compound B2, wherein the enol Compound B1 is protonated to the free acid ketone Compound A3 by adjusting the pH to about pH 1, followed by intramolecular dehydration to provide the target lactone intermediate Compound B2.

Scheme D

Scheme D is illustrative of a method for the preparation of an acid addition compound B5, wherein Compound A8 is reacted with an acid HA (such as, but not limited to, HCl, HBr or p-toluenesulfonic acid) to provide the target Compound B5 which may be carried forward in place of Compound A8 in the reaction with Compound B2.

Scheme E

Scheme E is illustrative of a method of the preparation of compounds of Formula (II).

Compound A3 may be reacted with a compound of E1 under appropriate conditions to couple the compounds via an amide linkage. For example a salt can be formed from E1 and reacted with A3 to form an ammonium salt of the carboxylic acid that can be dehydrated to form the amide linkage.

Compound E1 can be prepared from commercially available or known starting materials using techniques known to those of skill in the art.

SPECIFIC SYNTHETIC EXAMPLES

Specific compounds which are representative of this invention were prepared as per the following examples and reaction sequences; the examples and the diagrams depicting the reaction sequences are offered by way of illustration, to aid in the understanding of the invention and should not be construed to limit in any way the invention set forth in the claims which follow thereafter. The depicted intermediates may also be used in subsequent examples to produce additional compounds of the present invention. These reactions can be further optimized to increase the yields. One skilled in the art would know how to increase such yields through routine variations in reaction times, temperatures, solvents and/or reagents.

All chemicals were obtained from commercial suppliers and used without further purification. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker AC 300B (300 MHz proton) or a Bruker AM-400 (400 MHz proton) spectrometer with Me₄Si as an internal standard (s=singlet, d=doublet, t=triplet, br=broad). APCI-MS and ES-MS were recorded on a VG Platform II mass spectrometer.

Example 1 [2-[3-[[methyl[1-(2-naphthalenylcarbonyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]-1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid (Compound 2)

To a solution of 2.5M n-BuLi in hexanes (40 mL, 0.1 mol) in 70 mL of THF at −78° C. was added dropwise a solution of 1-naphthyldiethylphosphonate (Compound 1A, 28 g, 0.1 mol) in 60 mL THF over 30 min. After stirring for an additional 30 min, 2,3-naphthalenedicarboxylic anhydride (Compound 1B, 20 g, 0.1 mol) was added portionwise via solid-addition funnel to the mixture over 20 min. After the addition was complete, the slurry was allowed to reach 0° C. gradually where it was held for another 1.5 h. Excess NH₄Cl (sat'd., aq.) was added, and the mixture was filtered through a pad of Celite 545. The filtrate was extracted with 200 mL of EtOAc and the layers were separated. The organic phase was concentrated (without drying) under reduced pressure at rt and the residue was triturated 4× with boiling ether. The residue was treated with 200 mL of EtOAc and adjusted to pH 3 with 2N HCl (aq.) with vigorous stirring. The layers were separated, and the organic phase was washed once with H₂O, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated to afford 24 g of Compound 1C as a white powder: MS (ES) MH+=477; HPLC: 3.68 min.

To a solution of Compound 1D (4 g, 20 mmol) containing 3.1 mL of triethylamine (22 mmol) in 45 mL of DMF was added Compound 1E (3.8 g, 20 mmol). After stirring overnight, the mixture was filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was taken up in CH₂Cl₂ and washed sequentially with H₂O, Na₂CO₃ (10%, aq.), H₂O, KHSO₄ (1N aq.) and H₂O. The organic phase was dried (Na₂SO₄), and concentrated to afford 6.0 g of Compound 1F as a foam: MS (ES) MH⁺=355.

Potassium hydride (2.3 g of a 35% oil dispersion; 20 mmol) was washed with hexanes, then treated with 30 mL of THF and cooled to 0° C. To the suspension was added dropwise a solution of Compound 1F (5.9 g, 16.8 mmol) in 15 mL of THF. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 0.5 h, then stirred an additional 0.5 h at rt. The mixture was cooled to 0° C. and iodomethane (15.7 g, 100 mmol) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 0.5 h then warmed to rt and stirred an additional 1.5 h. Excess 10% Na₂CO₃ (aq) was added slowly at 0° C., and the volatiles were removed under reduced pressure. The aqueous layer was extracted 3 times with EtOAc and the combined extracts were dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated to yield 6.1 g of Compound 1G as foam. HPLC R_(t)=3.76 min, 100%; MS (ES) MH+=369.

A solution of Compound 1G (6.1 g, 16.5 mmol) was dissolved in 15 mL of a 1:1 solution of TFA:CH₂Cl₂ and stirred for 1 h at rt. Volatiles were removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ and treated with excess 10% Na₂CO₃ (aq). The layers were separated, and the aqueous phase was extracted 3 times with CH₂Cl₂. The organic extracts were combined, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated to afford 4.3 g of Compound 1H as a viscous oil. HPLC R_(t)=1.5 min, 100%; MS (ES) MH⁺=269.

A solution of Compound 1C (4.9 g, 10.3 mmol), Compound 1H (3.3 g, 12.3 mmol) and HOBT (2.1 g, 15.4 mmol) in 100 mL CH₃CN was treated with a solution of DCC (2.5 g, 12.3 mmol) in 7 mL of CH₃CN. After stirring for 12 h, 5 mL of DIPEA was added and the reaction was stirred for an additional 48 h. The mixture was filtered and concentrated. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (silica: CH₂Cl₂:MeOH ramped from 98:1 to 95:5) to yield 6.9 g of Compound 1I. HPLC R_(t)=4.3 min; MS (ES) MH+=727.

To a solution of Compound 1I in 15 mL of pyridine was added 5 mL of bromotrimethylsilane. The mixture was stirred for 15 min, then concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was treated with excess 3N HCl (aq), then stirred for 3 h. The white precipitate was collected and rinsed with water, then triturated with CH₃CN to afford 5.1 g of Compound 1J. HPLC R_(t)=3.6 min; MS (ES) MH+=671. To a solution of Compound 1J in 50 mL of CH₃CN was added a solution of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (0.9 g, 7.7 mmol) in 7 mL of H₂O. The solution was filtered and the filtrate lyophilized after partial concentration to remove most of the CH₃CN. The resulting white solid was recrystallized from i-PrOH to yield 5.5 g of Compound 2 as an off-white solid. HPLC: R_(t)=3.6 min; 100%; MS (ES) MH+=671; Anal. Calc'd for C₄₀H₃₅N₂O₆P.1.0C₄H₁₁NO₃.1.0 i-PrOH.1.5H₂O: C, 64.23; H, 6.54; N, 4.79; H₂O, 3.08. Found: C, 63.93; H, 6.40; N, 4.85; H₂O, 2.74.

For Example 1, TLC was performed using Whatman 250-μm silica gel plates. Preparative TLC was performed with Analtech 1000-μm silica gel GF plates. Flash column chromatography was conducted with flash column silica gel (40-63 μm) and column chromatography was conducted with standard silica gel. HPLC separations were carried out on three Waters PrepPak® Cartridges (25×100 mm, Bondapak® C18, 15-20 μm, 125 Å) connected in series; detection was at 254 nm on a Waters 486 UV detector. Analytical HPLC was carried out on a Supelcosil ABZ+PLUS column (5 cm×2.1 mm), with detection at 254 nm on a Hewlett Packard 1100 UV detector. Microanalysis was performed by Robertson Microlit Laboratories, Inc.

Following the procedure of Example 1 and substituting the appropriate starting materials, compounds and reagents, the following Compounds 1 and 3-33 of the invention were also prepared:

MS m/e Cpd Name (MH⁺).  (1) [2-[3-[[methyl(4-phenylcyclohexyl)amino]carbonyl]-2- 592 naphthalenyl]-1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]- phosphonic acid  (3) [2-[3-[[[1-[(6-methoxy-2-naphthalenyl)carbonyl]-3- 687 pyrrolidinyl]methylamino]carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]-1- (1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid  (4) [2-[3-[[[1-[(6-bromo-2-naphthalenyl)carbonyl]-4- 771 piperidinyl]methylamino]carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]-1- (M^(+Na)) (1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid  (5) [2-[3-[[[1-[(2E)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-oxo-2-propenyl]-3- 651 pyrrolidinyl]methylamino]carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]-1- (1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid  (6) [2-[3-[[methyl[1-[(2E)-1-oxo-3-phenyl-2-propenyl]-4- 647 piperidinyl]amino]carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]-1-(1- naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid  (7) [1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxo-2-[3-[(4-phenyl-1- 564 piperidinyl)carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]ethyl]- phosphonic acid  (8) [1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxo-2-[3-[(4-oxo-1-phenyl-1,3,8- 634 triazaspiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]ethyl]- phosphonic acid  (9) [2-[3-[[methyl[1-[(2E)-3-(4-methylphenyl)-1-oxo-2- 661 propenyl]-4-piperidinyl]amino]carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]- 1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid (10) [2-[3-[[methyl[1-[(2E)-1-oxo-3-[4-(trifluoro- 715 methyl)phenyl]-2-propenyl]-4-piperidinyl]amino]carbon- yl]-2-naphthalenyl]-1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]- phosphonic acid (11) [2-[3-[[methyl[1-(2-naphthalenylcarbonyl)-4- 621 piperidinyl]amino]carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]-2-oxo-1- phenylethyl]-phosphonic acid (12) [2-[3-[[4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperidinyl]carbonyl]-2- 594 naphthalenyl]-1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid (13) [2-[3-[[[1-[(2E)-344-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1-oxo-2- 690 propenyl]-4-piperidinylynethylamino]carbonyl]-2- naphthalenyl]-1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid (14) [2-[3-[[4-(3-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperidinyl]carbonyl]-2- 594 naphthalenyl]-1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid (15) [2-[3-[[(1-benzoyl-4-piperidinyl)methylamino]carbonyl]- 621 2-naphthalenyl]-1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]- phosphonic acid (16) [2-[3-[[4-(2-benzothiazolyl)-1-piperidinyl]carbonyl]-2- 621 naphthalenyl]-1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid (17) [2-[3-[(cyclohexylmethylamino)carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]- 516 1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid (18) [2-[3-[[methyl[1-[1-oxo-3-[4-(trifluoro- 717 methyl)phenyl]propyl]-4-piperidinyl]amino]carbonyl]- 2-naphthalenyl]-1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]- phosphonic acid (19) [1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxo-2-[3-[(3-phenyl-1- 550 pyrrolidinyl)carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]ethyl]- phosphonic acid (20) [2-[3-[[methyl[1-(2-methyl-1-oxopropyl)-4- 587 piperidinyl]amino]carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]-1-(1- naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid (21) [2-[3-[(cyclopentylmethylamino)carbonyl]-2- 502 naphthalenyl]-1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]- phosphonic acid (22) [2-[3-[[[4-(1,1- 572 dimethylethyl)cyclohexyl]methylamino]carbonyl]-2- naphthalenyl]-1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid (23) [2-[3-[[methyl[1-(2-naphthalenylcarbonyl)-4- 685 piperidinyl]amino]carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]-1-(1- naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid methyl ester (24) [2-[3-[[[1-[(6-hydroxy-2-naphthalenyl)carbonyl]-4- 687 piperidinyl]methylamino]carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]-1-(1- naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid (25) [1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxo-2-[3-[[3-(2-phenylethyl)-1- 578 pyrrolidinyl]carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]ethyl]- phosphonic acid (26) [2-[3-[[(1-acetyl-4-piperidinyl)methylamino]carbonyl]-2- 559 naphthalenyl]-1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid (27) [2-[3-[[methyl(4-methylcyclohexyl)amino]carbonyl]-2- 530 naphthalenyl]-1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid (28) [2-[1-[[methyl(tricyclo[3.3.1.1^(3, 7)]dec-1- 582 ylmethyl)amino]carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]-1-(1- naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid (29) [2-[3-[[methyl(4-phenyl-3-cyclohexen-1-yl)amino]carbon- 590 yl]-2-naphthalenyl]-1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]- phosphonic acid (30) [1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-[3-[[[1-(2-naphthalenylcarbonyl)- 657 4-piperidinyl]amino]carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]-2- oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid (31) [2-[2-[[methyl[1-(2-naphthalenylcarbonyl)-4- 621 piperidinyl]amino]carbonyl]phenyl]-1-(1-naphthalenyl)- 2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid (32) methyl[2-[3-[[methyl[1-(2-naphthalenylcarbonyl)-4- 669 piperidinyl]amino]carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]-1-(1- naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphinic acid (33) [1-(5-chlorobenzo[b]thien-3-yl)-2[3-[[methyl[1-(2- 712 naphthalenylcarbonyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino]carbonyl]-2- naphthalenyl]-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid

Example 2 Alternative Method of Synthesis for Compound 2

THF (tetrahydrofuran) (1081.0 mL) and 1-naphthyldiethylphosphonate Compound 2B (223.0 gm, 0.7612 mol) were combined in a flask and cooled to about −20° C. using a dry ice-methanol cooling bath. A solution of 1M LiHMDS (1597.0 mL, 1.597 mol) in THF was added to the cooled mixture while keeping the temperature at about −20° C. to form a fine slurry which was stirred for an additional 30 minutes. A 2,3-naphthalinedicarboxylic anhydride Compound 2A (158.80 gm, 0.7612 mol) was added portionwise over about a 1 h period while keeping the temperature of the mixture at about −20° C. The addition funnel and flask walls were rinsed with THF (100.0 mL), the cooling bath was removed and the mixture temperature raised to about 5° C. for about 1.5 h. Once the reaction was complete (as shown by HPLC), the final pH of the mixture was adjusted to about pH 5 by slowly adding 6N HCl (422 mL, 2.34 mol) while the temperature of the mixture was maintained at about 5° C. The mixture was stirred for about 30 min more at about 5° C. to provide a crude product as a fine white solid. The crude product was filtered using a porcelain filter. The wet solid was then washed with water (1000.0 mL), left to filter overnight, then dried at 70° C. to provide a dilithium salt Compound 2C (365.1 gms; mass yield: 100.6%). Compound 2C was used in the next step without further purification.

Methanol (2500.0 mL) and water (360.0 mL) were added to a flask and stirred. Compound 2C (365.1 gm, 0.7612 mol) was added to the stirring solution and the flask was rinsed with methanol (100.0 mL) to form a slurry. The slurry was stirred at RT for 30 minutes and then 12 N HCl (80.0 mL, 0.960 mol) was added over a 2 min period as the slurry turned into a hazy solution. The solution was stirred at RT until crystallization began, then was cooled to about 5° C. for 1 h to provide a crude product as a white granular solid. The product was filtered and washed with water (500.0 mL), then dried in vacuo overnight at a temperature of about 50° C. to provide Compound 2D (280 gms; mass yield: 77.3%).

Compound 2D (199.8 gm) and THF (2 L) were combined in a flask, then agitated and cooled to a temperature of from about 0° C. to about 5° C. NMM (4-methylmorpholine) (51.5 mL) was added to the flask while the mixture temperature was maintained at a temperature of from about 0° C. to about 5° C. The mixture was then agitated for an additional 15 min or until a solution was obtained. IBCF (isobutylchloroformate) (56 mL) was added portionwise while the mixture temperature was maintained at a temperature of from about 0° C. to about 15° C. When the addition was complete, the mixture temperature was warmed to a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 25° C., then agitated for 1 h. Once the reaction was complete, the NMM salts were filtered, washed with THF (150 mL) and allowed to dry. The filtrate was then combined with n-heptane (2.5 L) over a period of about 10 min and then agitated at a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 25° C. for about 30-45 min. Additional n-heptane (1.5 L) was added over a period of about 10 min. The mixture was then cooled to a temperature of from about 0° C. to about 5° C. and aged for about 1.5 h. The resulting suspension was filtered and washed with n-heptane (250 mL), allowed to air dry over a period of about 30 min and then dried in vacuo overnight at a temperature of from about 45 to about 50° C. to provide Compound 2E (165 gms; mass yield: 88.4%).

DCM (dichloromethane) (600 mL) and a 2-naphthoyl chloride Compound 2F (189.0 gm) were combined in a flask and agitated until solubilized. 4-Piperidone hydrate hydrochloride Compound 2G (150 g) and NaHCO₃ (sodium hydrogen carbonate) (260.0 gms) were then added via addition funnel. DCM (300 mL) was used to rinse the funnel and the resulting mixture was agitated for 18 h. Once the reaction was complete (as shown by HPLC), water (2.6 L) was added to the flask and the mixture was stirred vigorously to dissolve the NaHCO₃. After a period of about 5 to about 10 minutes, the layers were allowed to separate over a period of about 30 minutes. The aqueous layer was removed. Saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (300 mL) was again added and the mixture agitated for a period of about 5 to about 10 min. The layers were allowed to separate over a period of about 30 min and the aqueous layer was removed. Water (300 mL) was added and the mixture stirred gently for a period of from about 5 to about 10 min. The layers were allowed to separate over a period of about 30 min and the organic layer (˜960 mL) containing Compound 2H was removed (concentration of Compound 2H in DCM: 235.98 mg/mL; calculated mass of Compound 2H in DCM: 226.54 gms; calculated mass yield: 93.46%).

Compound 2H (˜50 gms, ˜265 mg/mL in DCM) and acetic acid (4.9 mL) were combined in a flask and the mixture was cooled to a temperature of from about 0° C. to about 5° C. 2.0M MeNH₂ (methylamine) (296 mL) in THF was added portionwise while maintaining the mixture at a temperature of from about 0° C. to about 19° C. The mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature and was agitated for a period of about 30 min. NaBH(OAc)₃ (sodium triacetoxyborohydride) (51.4 gms) was then added portionwise while maintaining the solution at a temperature of from about 19° C. to about 27° C. The mixture was aged for about 40 min at a temperature of from about ambient to about 27° C. Once the reaction was complete (as shown by HPLC), water (500 mL) was added while maintaining the solution at a temperature of below about 30° C. Sodium hydroxide (115 mL; 5% w/v in water) was then added to the mixture to raise the pH to from about pH 10 to about pH 11. The mixture was agitated vigorously for a period of from about 3 to about 10 min. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer was removed. Water (143 mL) was added and the mixture agitated for a period of from about 3 to about 10 min. The layers were again separated and the organic layer containing Compound 2I was removed (concentration of Compound 2I in DCM: 0.229 mg/mL; calculated mass of Compound 2I in DCM: 45.18 gms; mass yield: 85.3%).

Compound 2I (150 mL, 0.069 mol) was placed in solution with CH₂Cl₂:THF (150 mL; 1:8) and concentrated to a thick oil in vacuo while maintaining the mixture at a temperature of about or below 40° C. using a cooling bath. 2-Butanone (320 mL) was added portionwise to the thick oil to transfer the oil to another flask. The mixture was agitated and EtN(i-Pr)₂ (diisopropylethylamine) (11.0 mL, 0.063 mol) and Compound 2E (27.3 gms, 0.057 mol) were added. The mixture was heated to a temperature of about 65° C. for a period of from about 6 to about 7 h. Once the reaction was complete (as shown by HPLC), the mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and crystallized over a period of from about 72 to about 96 h (the product can take up to 48 h to start to crystallizing, having a cloud point time around 28 h). The product was filtered and washed with acetone (2×10 mL) (each wash), then dried in vacuo overnight at a temperature of about 75° C. to provide Compound 2J (31.4 gms; yield: 75.1%) as a white powder.

Compound 2J (10.0 g) and acetonitrile (40 mL) under nitrogen were added to a flask to form a suspension. The suspension was agitated for a period of from about 5 to about 10 min, then bromotrimethylsilane (10 mL) was added via additional funnel over a period of from about 10 to about 15 min at RT. The solution was stirred for at least a time period of about 1 h at rt. Once the reaction was complete (as shown by HPLC), the mixture was transferred to an addition funnel and then added to water (250 mL). The resulting slurry was stirred vigorously during the addition and the temperature maintained at from about 20° C. to about 25° C. The slurry was further agitated over a period of from about 1 to about 1.5 h, then filtered and washed with water (2×15 mL). The resulting wet cake was then dried in vacuo overnight at a temperature of about 40° C. to provide a crude product Compound 2K (10.2 gms) as a white solid.

Compound 2K (110.0 gms, 0.127 mol) and methanol (550 mL) were added to a flask to form a slurry. The slurry was stirred at RT over a period of from about 55 to about 60 min (the recrystallization mixture gave a hazy solution within about 5 minutes after adding MeOH and gradually afforded a white suspension after about 30 minutes). An acetone:water (1100 mL; 4:1) solution was added and the suspension was stirred at RT for a period of from about 180 to about 190 min to afford a white solid. The solid was filtered and washed with water (3×350 mL), forming a wet cake was then dried in vacuo overnight at a temperature of from about 30 to about 35° C. to provide a recrystallized Compound 2K (82.3 gms; yield: 96.1%) as a fine white solid.

Recrystallized Compound 2K (30.0 g, 0.0431 mol) and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (13.07 g, 0.107 mol; a clear white crystalline solid) were combined in a flask and ethanol (300 mL) and water (30 mL) were added. The solution was agitated to provide a clear solution after a period of about 15 min. A thin suspension was formed after a period of from about 2 to about 3 h and a thick white suspension was formed after a period of from about 3 to about 5 h (the mixture may need to be seeded to enhance crystallization if a thin suspension is not formed after a period of about 3 h). The suspension was stirred at RT for an additional period of about 4 h. The thick suspension was thinned by adding ethanol (180 mL), then filtered and washed with ethanol (120 mL), allowed to air dry over a period of about 30 min and then dried in vacuo for a time period of from about 24 to about 67 h at a temperature of about 40° C. to provide Compound 2E (38.6 gms; yield: 91.8%) as a bis-tromethane salt (ratio of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane:Compound 2E: 1.99:1).

For Example 2, analytical HPLC was carried out using Phenomenex Luna (15 cm×4.6 mm; 5μ; detection was at 220 nm), Phenomenex Luna 5μ C18(2) (4.6 mm×250; detection was at 225 nm) and Synergi 4μ MAX-RP 80A (15 cm×4.6 mm; detection was at 225 nm) columns. Microanalysis was performed by Quantitative Technologies, Inc.

Example 3

As a specific embodiment of an oral composition, 100 mg of the Compound 2 of Example 1 is formulated with sufficient finely divided lactose to provide a total amount of 580 to 590 mg to fill a size O hard gel capsule.

Example 4

A solution of 4A (1.0 g, 2.1 mmol), 4-N-Boc-aminopiperidine (0.42 g, 2.2 mmol; Astatech Inc.) and HOBt (0.28 g, 2.1 mmol) in 5 mL of DMF was treated with a solution of DCC (0.43 g, 2.1 mmol) in 1 mL of DMF dropwise. After stirring for 24 h, the mixture was filtered through dicalite and the filtrate concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (silica; 5% CH₃OH—CH₂Cl₂) to afford 1 g of 4B as a white foam, 72%. MS (ES) m/z 731 (MH⁺ adduct ion with MeOH and CH₃CN).

A solution of 20% TFA in CH₂Cl₂ and 4B (1 g, 1.5 mmol) was stirred for 45 min, then concentrated under a stream of N₂. The residue was triturated with ether to give 0.80 g of C as a white powder (TFA salt): MS (ES) m/z=530 (M−C₂H₅)⁺.

To a mixture of 0.40 g (0.59 mmol) of 4C and 0.17 mL (1.2 mmol) of Et₃N in 30 mL of CH₂Cl₂ was added a solution of 2-naphthoyl chloride (0.11 g, 0.60 mmol) in 1 mL of CH₂Cl₂. The reaction was stirred for 2 h, then diluted with water and the layers were separated. The organic layer was washed sequentially with H₂O, NaHCO₃ (satd, aq.), 1N KHSO₄ (aq), and H₂O, then dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (silica, 5% CH₃OH—CH₂Cl₂) to afford 0.29 g (70%) of 4D as a white powder: MS (ES) m/z 713 (MH⁺).

A solution of 0.29 g (0.40 mmol) of 4D in 2.5 mL of pyridine was treated with 0.4 mL (3.3 mmol) of bromotrimethylsilane and the mixture was stirred for 2 h. Volatiles were removed under reduced pressure, and the white solid residue was treated with 15 mL of 1N HCl (aq). The slurry was stirred for 2.5 h and the white solid was collected and rinsed with H₂O. The solid was triturated with CH₃CN to yield 0.12 g of the title compound (46%) as a white powder: MS (ES) m/z 657 (MH⁺).

Example 5

To a stirred solution of 5A (0.55 g, 1.16 mmol), the trifluoroacetate salt of 5B (0.5 g, 1.16 mmol), triethylamine (1.28 mmol, 0.18 mL), and HOBt (0.24 g, 1.75 mmol) in 5 mL of acetonitrile was added a solution of DCC in 2 mL of acetonitrile. (0.26 g, 1.28 mmol). The reaction was stirred for 24 h, then treated with 1 mL of DIPEA, and stirred an additional 5 h. The mixture was filtered, and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (silica; 100% CH₂Cl₂→98% CH₂Cl₂-MeOH) to afford 0.66 g of 5C as a foam: MS (ES⁺) MH⁺=735.

To a stirred solution of 5C (0.11 g, 0.75 mmol) in 1 mL of pyridine was added 0.15 mL of bromotrimethylsilane. The reaction was stirred for 1.5 h, then concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was stirred with excess 3N HCl for 1 h, and the product collected and washed sequentially with water and ether. The product was suspended in acetonitrile and stirred for 0.5 h at 0° C. then collected to afford 0.067 g of the title compound as a white solid: MS (ES⁺) MH⁺=679.

Following the procedure of Example 5 and substituting the appropriate starting materials, compounds and reagents, the following Compounds of the invention were also prepared:

MS m/e Cpd R₁₀ (MH⁺). 37 naphthalene-2-yl-acetyl 657 38 2-naphthoyl 641 (MH⁻) 39 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl) 581 40 1-(4-methoxyphenyl) 595 41 N-[5-(sulfonyl)-thiophene-2-ylmethyl]-benzamide 768 42 6-chloro-5-sulfonyl-imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole 709 43 Naphthyl-2-aminocarbonyl 658 44 1-(4-fluorophenyl) 583

BIOLOGICAL EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLES

The utility of the compounds of the present invention as a serine protease inhibitor and, particularly, as a cathepsin G or chymase inhibitor useful for the treatment of inflammatory or serine protease mediated disorders can be determined according to the procedures described herein.

Example 1 Enzyme-Catalyzed Hydrolysis Assays—Cathepsin G

Enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis rates were measured spectrophotometrically using human neutrophil cathepsin G (Athens Research and Technology) or human skin chymase (Cortex Biochem), a chromogenic substrate (Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-pNa) (Bachem) in aqueous buffer (100 mM Hepes, 500 mM NaCl, pH 7.4 for catG; 450 mM Tris, 1800 mM NaCl, pH 8.0 for chymase), and a microplate reader (Molecular Devices). IC₅₀ experiments were conducted by fixing the enzyme and substrate concentrations (70 nM enzyme, 5 mM substrate for cat G, 10 nM enzyme, 0.7 mM substrate for chymase) and varying the inhibitor concentration. Changes in absorbance at 405 nM were monitored using the software program Softmax (Molecular Devices), upon addition of enzyme, with and without inhibitor present at 37° C. for 30 minutes. Percent inhibition was calculated by comparing the initial reaction slopes of the samples without inhibitor to those with inhibitor. IC₅₀ values were determined using a four parameter fit logistics model. The term “NT” indicates a compound that was not tested.

Table 4 summarizes the assay results for cathepsin G and chymase inhibition for compounds of the present invention:

TABLE 4 IC₅₀ (μM) IC₅₀ (μM) Cpd CatG n Chymase n 1 0.083 ± 0.014 7 0.0053 ± 0.0019 8 2 0.081 ± 0.009 70 0.0067 ± 0.0018 70 3 0.068 ± 0.019 2 0.072 ± 0.008 3 4 0.090 ± 0.020 5 0.0039 ± 0.0001 4 5 0.072 ± 0.021 5 0.2 ± 0.4 6 6 0.067 ± 0.014 4 0.0035 ± 0.0015 2 7 0.210 ± 0.050 12 0.008 ± 0.022 1 8 0.130 ± 0.010 11 0.0074 ± 0.0022 8 9 0.053 ± 0.015 5 0.011 ± 0.003 2 10 0.053 ± 0.016 5 0.014 ± 0.006 5 11 4.9 ± 2.8 2 0.032 1 12 0.179 ± 0.038 10 0.0073 ± 0.0017 10 13 0.064 ± 0.008 3 0.004 1 14 0.230 ± 0.030 6 0.010 ± 0.001 9 15 0.075 ± 0.030 5 0.017 ± 0.005 3 16 0.190 ± 0.020 7 0.0085 ± 0.0023 7 17 0.098 ± 0.026 4 0.0072 ± 0.0015 6 18 0.028 ± 0.006 3 0.0010 1 19 0.238 ± 0.030 8 0.022 ± 0.062 9 20 0.090 ± 0.023 5 0.004 ± 0.002 2 21 0.070 ± 0.020 5 0.0096 ± 0.0034 5 22 0.140 ± 0.040 18 0.009 ± 0.023 12 23 0.670 1 0.416 1 24 0.078 ± 0.015 7 0.0035 ± 0.0013 6 25 0.156 ± 0.028 7 0.0097 ± 0.0035 7 26 0.096 ± 0.018 3 0.015 ± 0.001 3 27 0.070 ± 0.010 4 0.0051 ± 0.0022 4 28 0.400 ± 0.090 11 0.036 ± 0.011 10 29 0.150 ± 0.030 13 0.0082 ± 0.0028 2 30 0.590 ± 0.040 2 0.0158 ± 0.0008 2 31 >100.0 1 14.95 ± 0.67  2 32 0.86 ± 0.03 2 0.31 1 33 0.121 ± 0.007 2 0.001 ± 0.000 2 34 0.09 ± 0.04 3 0.007 ± 0.001 2 35 0.56 ± 0.18 3 37 0.74 ± 0.29 3 38 0.78 ± 0.22 2 39 0.18 ± 0.05 2 40 0.17 ± 0.05 2 41 0.31 1 42 0.14 ± 0.03 2 43 0.95 ± 0.21 5 44 0.52 ± 0.29 2

Example 2 Anti-Asthmatic Effects in a Sheep Model of Asthma

The efficacy of Compound 2 for the treatment of asthma was evaluated in a validated model of Ascaris suum antigen-induced asthmatic response in conscious sheep (Abraham, W. M., Pharmacology of allergen-induced early and late airway responses and antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in allergic sheep, Pulmonary Pharmacology, 1989, 2, 33-40).

Experimental Protocol

Baseline dose response curves to aerosol carbachol were obtained 1-3 days prior to antigen challenge. Baseline values of specific lung resistance (SR_(L)) were obtained and the sheep were then given a specified amount (mg) of the test compound as an inhaled aerosol at a specified time before antigen challenge. Post drug measurements of SR_(L) were obtained and the sheep were then challenged with Ascaris suum antigen. Measurements of SR_(L) were obtained immediately after challenge, hourly from 1-6 h after challenge and on the half-hour from 6½-8 h after challenge. Measurements of SR_(L) were obtained 24 h after challenge followed by a 24 h post-challenge with carbachol to measure airway hyperreactivity.

Compound 2 was administered as an aerosol at 0.1 mg/Kg/dose, twice-a-day (BID) for three consecutive days, followed by a dose on day 4, 0.5 h prior to antigen challenge. Ascaris suum antigen challenge was given at the zero time point.

FIG. 1 shows that the early airway response (0-2 h after antigen challenge) was dramatically reduced and that the late airway response (6-8 h after antigen challenge) was completely blocked (n=4 sheep/group).

FIG. 2 shows that the delayed airway hyperreactivity measured at 24 h post antigen challenge as measured using carbachol challenge was also completely blocked.

In addition to blocking the increase in airway resistance, as shown in Table 5, Compound 2 also blocked the rise in inflammatory cell numbers in the broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid sampled from these sheep.

TABLE 5 Treatment Group/Time BAL Cell Count (×1000/mL) Baseline Neutrophils Lymphocytes Eosinophils Macrophages Baseline 22.04 ± 12.89 4.82 ± 1.74 6.29 ± 3.98 172.2 ± 20.8 8 h Post 24.55 ± 14.08 13.39 ± 5.44  61.58 ± 29.87 209.3 ± 44.7 Antigen 24 h Post 111.7 ± 38.9  36.30 ± 15.68 168.4 ± 95.1  245.6 ± 20.4 Antigen Compound 2 (1.0 mg/kg × 4 days) (last dose-30 min prior to antigen challenge) Baseline 12.66 ± 2.07  3.15 ± 0.79 0.00 69.06 ± 1.97 8 h Post 3.17 ± 0.65 4.16 ± 1.10 0.37 ± 0.32 77.85 ± 2.36 Antigen 24 h Post 3.86 ± 0.95 3.72 ± 0.77 0.04 ± 0.03 75.16 ± 2.71 Antigen

While the foregoing specification teaches the principles of the present invention, with examples provided for the purpose of illustration, it will be understood that the practice of the invention encompasses all of the usual variations, adaptations and/or modifications as come within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of Formula (Ia):

wherein: R₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl and C₂₋₈ alkenyl; and, R₈ is pyrrolidinyl, optionally substituted with carbonyl, said carbonyl substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, aryl, arylC₁₋₄alkyl and arylC₂₋₄alkenyl; wherein the aryl portions of the carbonyl substituent are optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, di C₁₋₄ alkylamino, halogen, hydroxy and (halo)₁₋₃(C₁₋₄)alkyl; and racemates, enantiomers, diastereomers and salts thereof.
 2. The compound of claim 1 wherein R₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl and C₂₋₄ alkenyl.
 3. The compound of claim 1 wherein R₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁₋₄ alkyl.
 4. The compound of claim 1 wherein R₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl.
 5. The compound of claim 1 wherein pyrrolidinyl is optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of methylcarbonyl, i-propylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl, naphthalenylcarbonyl, phenethylcarbonyl and phenethenylcarbonyl; and, wherein the phenyl and naphthalenyl portions of the methylcarbonyl, i-propylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl, naphthalenylcarbonyl, phenethylcarbonyl and phenethenylcarbonyl substituents are optionally substituted with one to two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of methyl, methoxy, N,N-dimethylamino, fluorine, bromine, hydroxy and trifluoromethyl.
 6. A compound of Formula (Ia): Formula (Ia)

Cpd R₇ R₈ 3 CH₃ 1-[(6-methoxy-2-naphthalenyl)carbonyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl; and 5 CH₃ 1-[3-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-oxo-2-propenyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl and racemates, enantiomers, diastereomers and salts thereof.


7. The compound of claim 5 wherein the compound of Formula (Ia) is selected from the group consisting of: [2-[3-[[[1-[(6-Methoxy-2-naphthalenyl)carbonyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl]methylamino]carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]-1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid 3; and [2-[3-[[[1-[(2E)-3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-1-oxo-2-propenyl]-3-pyrrolidinyl]methylamino]carbonyl]-2-naphthalenyl]-1-(1-naphthalenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-phosphonic acid
 5. 8. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 9. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 7 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 10. A cationic salt of a compound of claim 1 wherein the cation is selected from the group consisting of, t-butylamine, calcium, choline, lithium, NH₄ ⁺, potassium, sodium and tromethane.
 11. A cationic salt of claim 10 wherein the cation is selected from t-butylamine, NH₄OH and tromethane.
 12. A cationic salt of claim 11 wherein the cation is tromethane. 